A 45-year-old man from Eastchurch has been sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually abusing two teenagers in Sheerness.
Sam Crawley, of Church Road, Eastchurch, appeared for sentence on Friday 16 October 2026 following an inquiry conducted by Kent Police’s specialist safeguarding and child protection teams.
The prosecution outlined that Crawley carried out a series of sexual offences against two young victims in the Sheerness area between 2015 and 2016. The sustained offending went unreported for four years until the victims bravely came forward to police in 2019 to disclose the sexual abuse they had suffered.
Kent Police detectives launched a comprehensive investigation, locating and arresting Crawley in May 2019. When interviewed under caution, Crawley denied all allegations of criminal conduct and maintained that no sexual contact had taken place.
Crawley pleaded not guilty to the full indictment, forcing the two survivors to give evidence during a contested trial at Maidstone Crown Court. Following the presentation of evidential submissions and witness testimony, the jury rejected Crawley’s claims and returned unanimous guilty verdicts across all 12 counts:
Nine counts of sexual assault
Two counts of assault by penetration
One count of causing a person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity without consent
Passing sentence on 16 October 2026, the Crown Court judge condemned the predatory and damaging nature of the abuse, noting the lasting trauma inflicted upon both young victims. The judge sentenced Crawley to an immediate custodial term of ten years behind bars.
To ensure long-term safeguarding, the court granted indefinite restraining orders prohibiting Crawley from making any direct or indirect contact with either victim. The judge also imposed a Sexual Risk Order, directed that Crawley remain subject to lifelong notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanently barred him from regulated work involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Crawley stood convicted of:
Nine counts of sexual assault
Two counts of assault by penetration
Causing a person to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity without consent
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
Ten years’ immediate custody
Indefinite restraining orders protecting both victims
Sexual Risk Order
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
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