AFTER an extended trial process, an East Tilbury man will remain in jail for the whole of 2026 and well into 2027 for child sex offences.

Thurrock Nub News reported in 2025 on the conviction and delayed sentencing of Paul McGahey, who lived in rented accommodation in the village.

He was found guilty in 2025 at Basildon Magistrates' Court of two offences but sent to Crown Court in August because it has higher powers of sentencing.

In the interim McGahey was held on remand at HMP Chelmsford.

The sentencing process was delayed several times because of failings in the judicial process, but - after adjourned hearings in September and October - justice finally knocked on his cell door just before Christmas and sentences were delivered by Judge Samantha Leigh.

On Thursday, 11 December McGahey received two jail terms, nine months in prison for engaging in sexual communication with a child, and 26 months for causing a child to look at an image of sexual activity. The two terms will run concurrently so, with time served, 57-year-old McGahey is likely to be released in early 2027. He will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order until 2035 and he will have to register his whereabouts to police for ten years.

His sentencing was welcomed by members of the victim's family who had repeatedly attended court only to learn the matter had been delayed.

A spokesperson for the family said: "It was a roller coaster of emotions because the case was adjourned four times which was so frustrating considering the man pleaded guilty.

advertisement

"How the courts dealt with the sentencing was a shambles but in the end we were thankful that Judge Leigh ensured that the fifth time in court was our last.

"McGahey clearly had no remorse for what he had done, he was always smirking when in court. We are glad we can move on now."