© Tom Blewitt & Zack Griffiths – Predator Awareness

A former South Thanet campaigner who was later jailed for child sex offences had previously worked on election efforts linked to Nigel Farage.

Aaron Knight, previously from Ramsgate, was involved in campaigning activity in South Thanet during 2014, when Nigel Farage was standing in the constituency. At the time, the area was a key battleground seat and attracted national attention.

It later emerged that during the same period Knight was committing serious sexual offences against a seven-year-old boy. He went on to admit two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and one count of sexual assault on a child under 13.

Knight had worked for several months on the borough council campaign in South Thanet. A party spokesman at the time confirmed he had been involved in campaigning but said his role was short-lived.

The offences took place between September 2013 and October 2014. In May 2016, Knight was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court to seven years in prison. The court heard he had groomed his victim over a sustained period and sought to keep the abuse hidden.

He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order, placing restrictions on his behaviour following release.

Knight has since been released after serving his custodial term and remains subject to licence conditions and the court-imposed order.

The case drew attention locally because of his involvement in campaigning during a high-profile election period in South Thanet, where Nigel Farage was seeking to win a parliamentary seat.