IAN KENDRA POCKLINGTON PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE IN HULL

In October 2009, a disturbing case concluded with the conviction and sentencing of Ian Kendra, a man from Pocklington, who was found guilty of a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl under the age of 13. The court heard how Kendra, aged 40 at the time, had meticulously groomed his vulnerable victim over a period of nine months, exploiting her trust and innocence before subjecting her to multiple acts of sexual assault.

During a five-day trial at Hull Crown Court, Kendra faced six charges of rape and four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13, spanning from June 30, 2007, to March 26, 2008. The jury, after deliberating for less than three hours, returned a verdict of guilty on all but two charges, which the judge subsequently ordered to be acquitted. Kendra maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, denying the allegations and attempting to shift blame onto the young girl, claiming her accusations were based on fantasy.

Judge Simon Jack addressed the court, emphasizing the severity of the crimes. He stated, “You have been found guilty of sexual abuse over a substantial period of time. She was a vulnerable child. You took advantage of her need for love and you preyed on that. These are very serious matters. The starting point is eight years.” Recognizing the aggravating circumstances, the judge determined that a custodial sentence of ten years was appropriate, with the possibility of parole after serving five years. The judge underscored the seriousness of Kendra’s actions and the impact on his victim.

The court detailed how the abuse began with minor incidents, including a kissing incident on the girl’s lips, during which Kendra told her he loved her. The young girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, recounted her feelings of confusion and fear, revealing that she did not report the incident at the time. The abuse escalated when she was indecently assaulted while playing on a computer game, an act she described as making her feel “horrible.” She expressed her belief that she would not be believed if she told anyone, which contributed to her silence.

The case came to light after the assaults intensified into rapes. Kendra was arrested following police investigations, which uncovered DNA evidence on a bedspread linking him to one of the attacks. Despite the mounting evidence, Kendra denied all involvement and showed no remorse during the trial. The victim’s suffering was evident, as she had begun to self-harm and turn to alcohol in the aftermath of the repeated assaults.

Throughout the court proceedings, Kendra appeared emotionless, dressed in a leather jacket, shirt, and tie, as the verdicts were read. The judge ordered him to register as a sex offender for life and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which included restrictions on his contact with children under 16. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect the community from further harm.