A man who sexually assaulted two young girls in a village near Sandwich has been sentenced to seven years in prison, with an additional year on licence, following his conviction at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation and Arrest

Jahrad Alderton-Ford, 43, of Cop Street, Ash, was arrested in 2022 after Kent Police received reports that two young girls had been sexually assaulted at a property in the village.

Following a detailed investigation, Alderton-Ford was charged with two counts of sexual assault. He denied the offences, forcing the case to go to trial.

In October 2024, a jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on February 7, 2025.

Sentencing and Prevention Order

Alderton-Ford was sentenced to:

• Seven years in prison
• An additional year on licence upon release
• A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will remain in place indefinitely to reduce the risk of reoffending

Police Praise Victims’ Bravery

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Emma Garcia, who led the investigation for Kent Police, commended the victims for their courage in coming forward:

“These were awful offences against young victims, and I am pleased Alderton-Ford has been brought to justice for his actions.

“By refusing to admit what he had done, he forced his victims and their family to go through a trial, but I am pleased the jury saw through his denials.

“I would like to praise the bravery of the victims in this case, and I urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual offences to report it to the police so we can ensure offenders are held responsible for their crimes.”

Reporting Sexual Offences

Kent Police encourage anyone affected by sexual offences to report incidents confidentially. Victims can:

• Call 101 to speak with officers
• Report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
• Seek support through specialist services such as the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

Alderton-Ford’s sentencing marks a significant step in bringing justice to victims and ensuring the safety of the community.

More updates to follow.