David King

David King, a 29-year-old resident of a caravan in Northwick Road, Canvey Island, Essex, has a history of sexual offences against children. He was first convicted in 2015 of making and distributing indecent images of children, receiving a community order. In 2016, he faced another conviction for the same offences involving child sexual abuse material.

King's pattern of behaviour continued, leading to a more severe penalty in 2021 when he breached his court-imposed Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by again making and distributing indecent images. The court deemed him 'dangerous and a serious risk of harm' at that time, imposing a seven-year extended sentence. Recorder Emma Nash, during the recent hearing at Basildon Crown Court, remarked on his prior convictions, stating, 'It is plain to me that they demonstrate a sexual interest in children.'

Released from prison in September 2023, King's compliance was short-lived. In November 2023, police officers monitoring his SHPO visited him and searched his phone, discovering that he had downloaded and subsequently deleted the Telegram messaging app. King later admitted to using the app to message a female aged 16 or younger. Recorder Nash commented, 'In my judgment, it is clear that what you did was download that app and talk to somebody who you know you shouldn’t be talking to.' She further noted that he was 'clearly still wanting to contact young females and downloading an application in order to do that.'

The probation service described King's compliance with supervision since his release as 'superficial.' At Basildon Crown Court, Recorder Nash sentenced him to 16 months' imprisonment, refusing to suspend the term. She explained, 'In my view, this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence is appropriate.' Had he been convicted by a jury, the sentence would have been two years, but it was reduced by a third due to his early guilty plea. Nash concluded, 'I do not consider that there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation… I do conclude that you present a risk of harm to children.'

This case was reported exclusively by Charles Thomson, Crime & Investigations Reporter for The Echo, highlighting ongoing concerns about recidivism among sex offenders in Essex. The prosecuting authority is Essex Police.