KEITH FIRMAN AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SOUTHAMPTON AND LONDON
A former university lecturer, Keith Firman, has been sentenced to prison after attempting to commit a heinous sexual offence against a young girl in Stratford, London.Firman, aged 73 and originally from Southampton, had traveled to Stratford with the intent of abusing a six-year-old girl, but his plans were thwarted when he was arrested by police.
At the time of his trip, Firman was on licence, having previously served a six-year prison sentence for abusing another young girl.
His criminal history includes a conviction in 2016 for three counts of indecent assault against a girl aged between eight and ten during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Additionally, in 2014, Firman admitted to possessing, making, and distributing sexual images of children, which resulted in a 15-month jail term.
On the day of his arrest, Firman arrived in Stratford from Southampton carrying a children’s book, which he claimed he intended to read to the girl.
He had been communicating with a woman who claimed to have a six-year-old daughter via a chat platform.
Under the username ‘Grandad,’ Firman had arranged to meet her in East London, discussing how he would engage with the child.
Prosecutor Deepak Kapur outlined that Firman had explicitly discussed plans to abuse the girl.
However, the woman Firman was speaking with was an undercover police officer.
As Firman approached the house he believed the girl resided in, officers detained him.
Further investigation of his phone revealed that he had also been in contact with another undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old girl in Derby.
During this conversation, Firman referred to himself as a ‘naughty teacher,’ indicating his inappropriate intentions.
In his police interview, Firman admitted that he was aware that his actions might be intercepted and expressed regret, stating that he knew this was going to happen and that he shouldn’t have come.
He also claimed that he “just couldn’t help himself,” highlighting his apparent lack of remorse.
At a sentencing hearing held at Snaresbrook Crown Court on October 26, Firman’s defense lawyer, Lynton Orrett, argued that his client did not initially plan to sexually abuse the girl when he traveled to Stratford.
Orrett stated, “He said all he would have done is read to the child, had the child on his knee and really used that occasion as, I wouldn’t say to break the ice, but as an introduction to that child on that day.
Whether anything would have come later down the line the defendant doesn’t know.” Throughout his career, Firman worked as a molecular biologist specializing in nanotechnology and DNA research.
He also held a position as a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth.
Judge Timothy Greene delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing Firman’s intelligence and awareness of the risks involved.
The judge remarked, “You are an intelligent man and you knew there was a risk that this was a trap but you were so desperate to abuse that 6-year-old girl that you took that risk anyway.” He further condemned Firman’s attitude, stating that he appeared to believe the abuse was “perfectly natural” and accused him of lacking genuine remorse, suggesting that Firman thought he was “tricked” into committing these offences.
Firman was sentenced to four years and four months in prison, with an extended licence period of four months.
Additionally, the court ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life, marking a lifetime of supervision and monitoring due to the severity of his crimes.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to prevent child exploitation and bring offenders to justice, especially those with a history of sexual offences against minors.
Firman’s actions and subsequent sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals with a criminal past who continue to pose a threat to society.
