‘Dangerous’ child sex predator jailed after targeting girls aged 9 and 14 in Hemel

A 31 year old man has been jailed after pleading guilty to sexual offences relating to two children in in Hertfordshire.

Michael Hargrave, from Loch Crescent, Edgware, was arrested at an address in Kings Langley by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary.

A 14 year old girl from Hemel Hempstead reported engaging in sexual activity with a man she had met online chat.

He was sentenced to for more than 13 years and 8 months.

Although Hargrave had used an online alias, further investigations revealed his true identity and he was arrested at an address in Kings Langley on 11 May 2023.

Further investigation by detectives from the Child Online Safeguarding Team (COST) whilst he was in custody, also revealed another nine year old victim in Hemel, whom officers were able to safeguard. Hargrave had also been chatting to her via Snapchat using his online alias.

Hargrave was subsequently charged with:

• Two counts of sexual communication with a child.
• Three counts of sexual activity with a child.
• Two counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act.
• One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activities.
• Three counts of a breach of sexual harm prevention order.
• One count of failure to comply with notification requirements.

The offences took place between January 2022 and April of this year.

Detective Sergeant Sam Jarvis, from the child online safeguarding team, said: “This was a good result for the team, who have taken another very dangerous offender off the streets thanks to the bravery of the two victims.

“We will continue to identify and proactively target those within Hertfordshire who pose a sexual risk towards children.”

His sentence was extended for another five years on licence, he will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register, and must abide indefinitely by the conditions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.