FRANK SMITH AND LEONARD WILSON SENTENCED FOR CRIMES IN CRANBROOK

Two young men have been sentenced to prison following a disturbing sexual assault that took place in Cranbrook. The incident, which occurred on the evening of 28 August 2018, involved the brutal attack of a teenage girl at a play park in the area.

According to reports, Frank Smith and Leonard Wilson, aged 18 and 17 respectively at the time, lured the girl from a vehicle at a secluded rural spot near Jockey Lane. The assault was violent and aggressive, with Smith and Wilson forcibly dragging her from the vehicle, causing her to bump her head in the process. The two men then proceeded to sexually assault her, subjecting her to a traumatic experience that would leave lasting scars.

Following the assault, the offenders did not stop at the physical attack. They also engaged in intimidation tactics, threatening to harm her family if she dared to report the incident to authorities. This intimidation was part of their effort to silence her and avoid detection.

Both men faced charges related to their actions. Smith, who resides on Pluckley Road, Bethersden, was charged with sexual assault and two counts of rape. Wilson, living on Plurenden Road, High Halstow, faced charges of rape, along with two counts of possessing indecent images of a child and three counts of possessing extreme pornographic material.

Despite pleading not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, the jury found both men guilty of at least one count of rape after a trial. The court's decision reflected the severity of their crimes and the impact on the victim.

On 9 April 2024, the sentences were handed down. Frank Smith, now 24 years old, received a prison term of three years and nine months. Leonard Wilson, aged 23, was sentenced to three years and six months behind bars.

Detective Kim Bashford, a representative of Kent Police’s West Division CID, commented on the case, emphasizing the brutality and the psychological toll inflicted on the victim. She stated, ‘Smith and Wilson not only subjected their victim to a harrowing sexual assault but used fear to prevent her from reporting the incident to the police. As a result, the girl was forced to withstand a lengthy investigation and trial, during which she had to repeatedly relive the traumatic events of that night. ‘A custodial sentence for such an abhorrent crime is just, regardless of Smith and Wilson’s ages at the time. We would like to thank the victim for her admirable courage in working with us to secure a jail term for the offenders.'