KYLE CANNING SHOCKS SALISBURY WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In October 2010, a disturbing case emerged from Salisbury involving an 18-year-old man named Kyle Canning, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl. The incident, which took place in Salisbury, has left the community shaken and highlights the serious consequences of such offenses.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Canning, residing on Warwick Close in Salisbury, admitted to four counts of sexual activity with a minor, specifically relating to two separate incidents involving the 12-year-old girl. The court heard that Canning's actions were influenced by his learning difficulties, which played a significant role in his understanding and perception of the situation.

Defense lawyer Darren Bartlett provided context about Canning's cognitive abilities, stating that he has an IQ of 77, placing him within the range of borderline intellectual functioning. Bartlett explained that at the time of the offenses, Canning was experiencing significant problems at home, which may have affected his judgment and behavior. "He was not able to cope with it as well as a normal individual would have been," Bartlett said. He further argued that Canning's actions could be characterized as inexperienced and immature, describing them as "fumbling" rather than malicious intent. Bartlett emphasized that Canning believed the girl was consenting, a misunderstanding likely rooted in his learning difficulties. He described Canning as someone who is both sexually and socially immature, which contributed to his actions.

As part of the sentence, Judge Keith Cutler imposed a three-year community order on Canning. This order requires him to be under supervision for 12 months and to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. The judge expressed his concern about the impact of Canning's actions on the victim, stating, "The effect of what you did with that 12-year-old girl will be with her for a long time." He also highlighted the defendant's apparent lack of understanding of the severity of his actions, remarking, "You don’t seem to realize that what you did was wrong, and that she is a very vulnerable and damaged young girl."

Furthermore, Canning is mandated to remain on the sex offenders register for a period of five years, reflecting the seriousness with which the court viewed the offense and its potential risk to the community. The case underscores the importance of awareness and intervention in situations involving vulnerable minors and individuals with learning difficulties.