A paedophile previously convicted for having indecent images of children has been jailed after breaching a court order by messaging a 12-year-old child.

Kevin Challen, 55, from Worthing, messaged the child while serving a ten month suspended sentence after he was found with indecent images of children on his computer in March 2021.

Challen received the suspended sentence and was placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and subject to specific restrictions under a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

While serving his suspended sentence, Challen went on to breach the conditions of the SHPO and through lies and deception, befriended unsuspecting family friends and started messaging a 12-year-old child.

Kevin Challen has been jailed for 31 months (Image: Sussex Police)

The child was brave enough to inform their parents of the extent of Challen's unlawful contact with them and this resulted in Sussex Police officers arresting Challen again.

After an investigation, Challen was charged with three offences of breaching his SHPO and also for failing to comply with notification requirements on the sex offenders register.

Get more stories delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter

Challen pleaded guilty to the offences and appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 15, where he received a prison sentence of 31 months and his SHPO was amended to run indefinitely.

Crime investigator Dawn Hosken said: “I would like to commend the victim for their bravery in coming forward and to the witnesses for their support in this case. Challen, a convicted sex offender, is now in prison.”