A paedophile has been locked up after repeatedly approaching school uniform-wearing children in a library and asking ‘is this a social meet up?’
Russell Hogg, a convicted sex offender, breached a court order by approaching children in a Maidstone library.
In April last year, Hogg approached a group of school children sitting at a table and studying.
He tried to talk to them and stared at them for long periods – even shouting towards the group as he was sat at a computer terminal.
Hogg, 64, revisited the library over the following weeks and on May 12 approached the same group of children.
He asked ‘is this a social meet up or a study meet up?’ and loitered at their table.
Sentencing Hogg to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment, the judge called him a ‘a committed paedophile’.
Russell Hogg, a convicted sex offender, breached a court order by approaching children
In April last year, Hogg approached a group of school children sitting at a table and studying
Hogg ignored a raft of measures, which strictly prohibited his access to anyone under 16, and started conversations with groups of children in school uniform.
He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in January 2018, after he was sentenced to prison for making and possessing child sex abuse images.
The order contained several restrictions including a ban on any unsupervised contact or communication with a child, as well as limitations around his use of the internet.
Hogg was arrested after approaching the children at the library and was later charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, he pleaded guilty and admitted further charges which included failing to comply with notification requirements and possessing and making indecent images of children.
Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court (pictured), Hogg pleaded guilty and admitted further charges which included failing to comply with notification requirements and possessing and making indecent images of children
Upon his release from custody, he will be subject to a revised SHPO with further restrictions.
Detective Constable Homam Al-Sinawi said: ‘Hogg has a lengthy history of sex offences, and the most recent court order had been designed to reduce and manage any risks he posed upon his release from prison.
‘Unfortunately, Hogg has once again demonstrated a disturbing desire to be in contact with children and his behaviour has left his latest young victims feeling scared and anxious.
‘I’d like to reassure parents and guardians we have dedicated teams of officers with powers to closely monitor those convicted of sexual offences, and ensure they adhere to any measures and restrictions imposed by the courts.
‘Sexual harm prevention orders are just one of several tools which help us protect children and other vulnerable people, and which allows us to rigorously pursue offenders like Hogg and ensure they get the prison sentences they deserve.’