KIERAN CANHAM FROM CAMBOURNE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDER-AGE GIRLS IN CAMBRIDGE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Kieran Canham, a 19-year-old resident of Hudson Road in Cambourne, was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with under-age girls. The incidents, which took place over several months, involved Canham messaging multiple young girls, some as young as 13, with the intent of soliciting sexually explicit images and engaging in sexualized conversations.

The court was informed that the troubling series of events began on October 10, 2014, when Canham contacted a 13-year-old girl via social media. He requested that she send him sexually explicit photographs of herself. This initial contact was followed by further messages to another under-age girl between November 15 and 18, 2014. During this second interaction, the girl did send nude photos of herself, but Canham did not stop there. Instead, he resorted to blackmail, coercing her into sending more images. The court heard that Canham then took the step of sharing these images with her friends on Facebook, a move that significantly heightened the distress and fear experienced by the young girl.

As a consequence of these actions, the girl expressed her fear of going out, worried about being questioned or recognized because of the images circulating online. It was also revealed that the 13-year-old girl had sent photos to Canham herself, although she acknowledged that doing so was inappropriate given her age.

Police investigations into Canham’s online activity uncovered a disturbing pattern. His phone was examined, revealing that between May 31, 2014, and January 7, 2015, he had sent sexually explicit messages to a total of 20 girls under the age of 18. Despite the number of contacts, only two girls, including the 13-year-old, had actually sent him photographs of themselves. During police interviews, Canham admitted to his actions, claiming that he had limited his internet access at home to restrict his exposure to pornography.

Legal representatives for Canham, Melanie Benn, described him as a socially isolated individual who lived with his parents, four brothers, and one sister. She emphasized that he was the eldest sibling and was responsible for providing financial support to his family. Benn suggested that the internet served as a form of personal space for Canham, where he felt more comfortable engaging with younger girls who, despite their age, were at a similar emotional level. She also noted that Canham believed there was an expectation of 'sexting' at school, but he had since recognized the wrongfulness of his actions and had ceased using social media.

In sentencing, Recorder Guy Ayers handed down a sentence of 15 months in a young offender institution. Additionally, Canham was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of 10 years, reflecting the seriousness of his offenses and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community.