KARL KENYON SHOCKS ELLAND AND COLCHESTER WITH SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDER-AGE GIRL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Elland and Colchester, Lance Corporal Karl Kenyon, a soldier with a history of service in Afghanistan, has been sentenced to three years in prison for engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The incident, which has garnered significant media attention, highlights the disturbing breach of trust and the serious legal consequences faced by Kenyon.

Kenyon, aged 27 and a resident of Boxhall Road, Elland, was found guilty of multiple charges related to his inappropriate relationship with a girl who was only 14 years old at the time. The court heard that the soldier began his illicit relationship with the girl when she was just 14, and during this period, he managed to conceal her in a room at his military barracks in Colchester for approximately one week. Details about this particular incident remain limited, but prosecutor Andrew Kershaw emphasized that it was clear some level of planning was involved in the concealment.

Kenyon, who is married and a father of one, admitted to two charges of sexual activity with a child, relating to two separate occasions when the girl was 14. Additionally, he confessed to two other charges involving dozens of sexual encounters with the girl when she was 15 years old. The court was informed that the teenager, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, eventually realized that Kenyon had no intention of leaving his wife for her, and her relationship with him was exposed early last year.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that the girl’s parents were the ones who wanted to report the relationship, perceiving it as a form of abuse. However, the girl herself did not see their relationship in the same light and declined to make a victim personal statement. Prosecutor Kershaw also highlighted that Kenyon exhibited controlling behavior throughout their relationship, including threats to harm himself if she disclosed their relationship to his wife or ended it.

Kenyon’s defense lawyer, Richard Gioserano, confirmed that his client now faces a dishonorable discharge from the army, a consequence deemed inevitable given the severity of the crimes and the prison sentence. Gioserano stated that Kenyon had taken responsibility for his actions, admitting that he was not thinking clearly at the time and was not himself. The lawyer explained that Kenyon could not fully explain his behavior but noted that others had observed a worrying change in him, particularly after he returned from a second tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Despite the troubling nature of the case, it was also revealed that Kenyon has managed to rebuild some aspects of his personal life. His wife, who is now pregnant with their second child, has maintained her relationship with him, adding a complex layer to the case’s emotional impact.

Judge Roger Thomas QC addressed Kenyon directly, acknowledging his service to the army over several years but emphasizing that as an adult and married man, he should have been fully aware that engaging in sexual activity with a minor was entirely unacceptable. The judge pointed out that the girl appeared to have had a crush on Kenyon, which he exploited. The court found that Kenyon used manipulative tactics and exerted pressure on the girl, taking advantage of her vulnerability.

As part of his sentence, Kenyon will be required to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life, a measure that underscores the gravity of his offenses and the lasting impact on the victim’s life.