In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that convicted child sex offender Edwin Griggs was found dead at his home in Sandwich, Kent. On Tuesday, 30 July 2019, officers were called to a property in Strand Street at approximately 12:45 pm, where they discovered the body of the man in his late 80s. It was reported that the former sweet shop owner had previously been jailed for the sexual abuse of two children.
The investigation into Griggs’ criminal history established a pattern of targeting vulnerable minors. Kent Police reported that in 2014, Griggs was sentenced to 15 months in prison at the age of 82. The prosecution reported that he had sexually abused two children, aged 11 and 13, using his position in the local community to gain access to his victims.
Judicial History and Community Impact
The court reported that Griggs’ actions were a significant breach of trust given his role as a local business owner. Canterbury Crown Court heard in 2014 that the offences involved “reprehensible” conduct against children who should have been safe in their community. The investigation established that upon his release from his 15-month sentence, Griggs returned to Sandwich, where he remained on the Sex Offenders Register for the remainder of his life.
A Kent Police spokesman confirmed that the death was not being treated as suspicious. For his actions in Sandwich, Griggs had been subject to strict notification requirements and monitoring by the Public Protection Unit. The judge in his original trial noted that despite his advanced age at the time of sentencing, the gravity of the abuse necessitated a custodial sentence to reflect the harm caused to the two young survivors.
Status and Final Record
For the crimes reported in England, the final status of Edwin Griggs is as follows:
- Status: Deceased (30 July 2019).
- Custodial Sentence: 15 months in prison (Sentenced 2014).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were active until his death.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court following a Kent Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Sexual abuse of children (2 counts).
- Origin: Strand Street, Sandwich, Kent.
Public Protection and Post-Mortem Procedures
Griggs was managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) until the time of his death. Due to the nature of his conduct in Sandwich, which involved the exploitation of children while operating a sweet shop, his management remained a priority for local safeguarding teams. Authorities state that his death concludes the active monitoring period, and his file will be closed following the formal identification and coroner’s report.
As a convicted sex offender, Griggs’ history remains a matter of public record. Authorities state that his history of predatory behavior in East Kent necessitated constant vigilance during his final years. Following the police attendance in Strand Street, the matter was passed to the coroner’s office to conclude the legal requirements surrounding his passing.
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