Dean Jordan

Dean Jordan, a 32-year-old homeless man from Canterbury, Kent, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment in September following his conviction for sexual communication with a child, an offence uncovered through a sting operation by online paedophile hunters. The court imposed a 12-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, and required him to register on the sex offenders' register for a decade. This register mandates that offenders, particularly those without a fixed address like Jordan, report to a designated police station every seven days and provide details of a regular location where they can be contacted.

Despite these strict conditions, Jordan quickly breached the requirements. He failed to report on two occasions—once in October and again on Boxing Day. When arrested for these violations, police discovered a small quantity of amphetamine, a class B drug, in his possession. Jordan, who had been remanded in custody for four months prior to his September sentencing, struggled significantly upon release. His family had disowned him, leaving him street homeless and grappling with severe mental health issues, which led him to use amphetamines as a coping mechanism.

Appearing at Margate Magistrates' Court on 31 December, Jordan admitted to two counts of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders' register and one count of possession of a class B drug. His defence representative, Scott Neilson, explained the circumstances to the court, stating, 'He got released and had nowhere to stay as his family disowned him. He’s had a real mental health struggle, and he’s street homeless.' Neilson further noted Jordan's depression over the Christmas period, his unsuccessful attempts to reconnect with family, and his willingness to engage with probation services and the Forward Trust for support with drug and alcohol problems. Jordan himself was open with police about needing assistance, expressing that he was feeling better and ready for support.

Because the original suspended sentence was handed down at Canterbury Crown Court, magistrates referred the breach case back to that court for sentencing on a date yet to be determined. Jordan, providing a care-of address in Station Road East, Canterbury, was granted bail in the interim. This case highlights the challenges faced by homeless sex offenders in adhering to stringent post-conviction monitoring, as reported by KentOnline court reporter on 11 January 2026.