KENNETH STARES FROM CRAVEN AND HULL GUILTY OF HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST CHILDREN

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Craven and Hull, Kenneth Stares, aged 63, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences involving minors. The verdict was delivered after a five-day trial at Bradford Crown Court, where the jury found him guilty on 12 out of 15 charges related to the abuse of two girls and a boy.

Stares, who previously resided in Craven, had vehemently denied all allegations, which included charges of rape, indecent assault, engaging in sexual activities with a child, and taking indecent photographs. Despite his denials, the jury's decision was clear, and he was convicted of three counts of rape, three counts of indecent assault, two charges of sexual assault of a child under the age of 13, two counts of sexual activity with a minor, one charge of gross indecency with a child, and one count of taking an indecent photograph of a boy.

The proceedings revealed that the initial complaint was made by one of the victims back in 2008. Prosecutor Michael Collins explained to the court that, at that time, police did not pursue the allegations. It was only after the victim re-approached authorities that a renewed investigation was launched. During this investigation, law enforcement officials uncovered evidence pointing to two additional potential victims, which expanded the scope of the case.

While Stares was found guilty on most counts, the jury acquitted him of two rape allegations and one charge of taking an indecent photograph of the boy. The court heard that the impact statements from the two female victims would be presented to Judge Neil Davey QC before sentencing, scheduled for Thursday. Stares, who is currently held in custody at Hull, where he resides on Egroms Lane in Withernsea, faces a significant prison term for his appalling actions.

Judge Davey described the crimes as 'appalling abuse' and emphasized that the severity of the offences warrants a substantial custodial sentence, reflecting the gravity of the harm inflicted upon the victims.