‘Depraved and disgusting’ Croydon paedophile who raped and sexually abused 4-year-old child is jailed

A paedophile from Croydon raped and sexually abused two victims in Kent, including a four-year-old, a court heard. Grant Venamore was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a series of sex offences against children in Tunbridge Wells and Paddock Wood spanning a decade. He was arrested by Kent Police in August 2020 and sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday, June 18.

The 48-year-old sex offender, of London Road, Croydon, denied any wrongdoing and the case went to trial. He was unanimously found guilty of 11 counts of child sexual abuse, including multiple counts of rape. In passing sentence, Judge Philip Statman concluded that he was a dangerous offender responsible for “persistent, violent sexual abuse”.

This means he must serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole and must complete an extended probation period of three years. The judge also made an indefinite sexual harm prevention order for the protection of the public.

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“Corrupt and disgusting”

Detective Constable Tania Muller, of the West Kent Child Protection Team, said: “Venamore repeatedly subjected his young victims to depraved and abhorrent abuse, causing immeasurable harm to their young lives. His actions not only had a devastating effect on their childhoods, but will sadly have damaging and lasting effects on their adult lives.”

“It has taken tremendous strength and courage for these victims to come forward and provide the evidence and testimony needed to ensure that Venamore is now brought to justice for these heinous crimes. This verdict will ensure that Venamore serves a lengthy prison sentence and, importantly, no longer poses a danger to other children.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to remember that it is never too late to report it to the police. We have a team of specialist officers who work tirelessly to ensure that offenders like Venamore do not evade justice simply because a crime may have occurred a long time ago. We will always treat all information with the utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.”

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