Rhys Mateer

Rhys Mateer, a 27-year-old man formerly from Minster-on-Sea in Kent, has been imprisoned for breaching court-imposed conditions designed to monitor and restrict his behaviour as a registered sex offender. Originally convicted in August 2020 at Maidstone Crown Court for engaging in sexual communication with a child, Mateer received a suspended sentence accompanied by strict sex offender notification requirements (SONR). These requirements mandated that he inform police within three days of using any online alias or acquiring new bank cards. Additionally, he was subject to a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that compelled him to grant officers access to any devices capable of storing digital images.

Mateer's compliance was checked through unannounced visits by Kent Police officers. On 15 June 2024, during one such visit to his home, constables discovered that he had tampered with the monitoring software installed on his mobile phone by the police. Further investigation revealed he had installed an application to prevent the retention of his browsing history, used an alias on his gaming console without notifying authorities, and failed to declare possession of a laptop and an external hard drive. Subsequent searches following his arrest uncovered an undeclared bank card, as well as a tablet and another mobile phone in his car.

Mateer was charged with five counts of breaching his SHPO and two counts of breaching his SONR. He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court. On 3 October 2024, he was sentenced to a total of two years and seven months' imprisonment, which included an additional four months for activating the breach of his original suspended sentence. Upon his release, Mateer will remain subject to an indefinite SHPO to continue safeguarding the public.

Police Constable James Harris of Kent Police commented on the case, stating: 'The conditions that come with these court orders are an opportunity for sex offenders to show they are attempting to reform their ways and can be trusted to not reoffend whilst living in the community. Our unannounced visit to this particular individual identified several breaches and he was immediately arrested. He is now serving a prison sentence and will be subject to further checks on his conduct when he is eventually released.' This incident underscores the ongoing efforts by Kent Police to enforce protective measures against sex offenders in the community.