June 2014 Sunderland paedophile jailed who abused 13-year-old just months before she killed herself A PAEDOPHILE has been jailed for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl just months before she killed herself. Kevin Palmer was caught by police with Danielle Formosa in a tent he took along to their meeting. Palmer, 39 at the time but now 40, first met the teenager four months earlier and told her he was a 19-year-old law student. Danielle, in care at the time of the offences and described in court as a “troubled young girl”, sent texts to Palmer to arrange the meeting last June. Robert Woodcock, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court that the pair met in Sunderland and bought cigarettes and a can of fizzy drink. They then went to a park where Palmer, then living at Pennywell Bail Hostel, Sunderland, put up the tent, and they listened to music from his phone. A passing police officer checked on them, and they both gave false names, but as he walked away, he heard Danielle refer to Palmer as ‘Kev’. Another officer later arrived and asked them to get out of the tent and for their names and ages. When Danielle gave her details to the police, Palmer quickly packed up his tent fled before being arrested at home. Danielle was found dead at East Farmhouse home in County Durham in December. She was 14 at the time. Palmer was originally accused of raping the schoolgirl and appeared at court for trial, but he pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of Danielle and causing or inciting her to engage in sexual activity. Nick Peacock, defending, said Palmer has had a difficult life and showed remorse about the offences and the death of Danielle – a claim Judge Penny Moreland rejected. Jailing him for four and a half years, the judge told Palmer: “In my view, what you did was groom her for sexual activity by persisting in seeing her. “I take the view that you planned to commit a sexual offence against her, and you planned to do so by taking a tent. “She has, since these offences, taken her own life. You can’t be held to account for that. I have no doubt that what you did caused distress and upset. I am not satisfied that you show remorse for what you did. I find no evidence of this. “I accept that you have had your own difficulties and your own life has not been straight forward, but that is no excuse for these offences.” Palmer was also ordered to sign the sex offences’ register for life, and he will be banned from having contact with children under 16 without social workers present. Speaking after the case, acting detective chief inspector Shelley Hudson welcomed the sentence, saying: “His crime has clearly had a devastating impact on the victim, who sadly is no longer with us. “I hope this case encourages more victims who may be suffering alone to come forward.” May 2014 Man admits sex abuse of schoolgirl, just months before she died A MAN has admitted sexually abusing a schoolgirl just months before she was found dead. Kevin Palmer was caught by a police officer committing the offences against a girl, who was aged 13, in a tent, in Sunderland, in June last year In December, the vulnerable youngster, who had by then turned 14, was found dead in a children’s home. Palmer, 40, who was originally accused of rape, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday for trial. Prosecutors made a special application for his victim’s video statement to be played to jurors. Palmer’s defence team objected on the basis he could not have a fair trial if the footage was allowed to be used as evidence. After hearing legal argument, Judge Penny Moreland ruled the girl’s video statement should be heard. But before a jury was sworn in, Palmer pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of the girl and causing or inciting her to engage in sexual activity. The maximum penalty he faces is 14 years behind bars. Prosecutor Robert Woodcock QC told the court: “There are aggravating features to each of the offences. “She was just 13 years of age and must have been known to the defendant as a vulnerable child.” As a result of the guilty pleas, prosecutors dropped the more serious rape charge. Mr Woodcock said he had explained the process to the girl’s grieving family, who accepted the decision “with dignity but some degree of resignation”. Palmer, of no fixed address in Sunderland, will be sentenced on June 6. Judge Moreland remanded him in custody in the meantime and warned: “This case will inevitably lead to an immediate custodial sentence.” The girl, from Sunderland, was found dead at East Farmhouse home in County Durham last December.