ROBERT KIRKHAM FROM WREXHAM DIES IN LIVERPOOL PRISON AFTER SEX OFFENSES AND MURDER CONVICTION

In a tragic development, Robert Kirkham, a man with a long and disturbing criminal history, passed away while serving his sentence at HMP Altcourse in Fazakerley, Liverpool. His death occurred on January 1, and an inquest held at Liverpool Coroners Court revealed that Kirkham had been battling health issues related to kidney cancer, which was diagnosed back in 2013. His condition worsened significantly in December of the previous year, ultimately leading to his demise.

To provide a comprehensive overview of his criminal past, it is important to note that Kirkham, aged 64 and residing at Llys Colwyn, Old Colwyn, had a notorious history that spanned several decades. His criminal record includes a conviction for murder in 1982, when he was found guilty of suffocating an elderly woman during a theft at her residence in Chester Crown Court. Despite this, he was released on license in 1996 after serving 27 years in prison.

In June 2014, Kirkham was sentenced to a total of ten years in prison for a series of sexual offenses committed in the Wrexham area during the 1990s. The charges included the rape and indecent assault of a 13-year-old boy. The Mold Crown Court heard that Kirkham exploited his knowledge of local fishing spots, where young boys would often be left unsupervised, to carry out his crimes. Some of these offenses took place in a shed, further highlighting the premeditated nature of his actions.

Although Kirkham denied the charges of rape and four counts of indecent assault against the young victim in 1996, the jury found him guilty. Judge Niclas Parry sentenced him to nine years for the rape and an additional 12 months for the indecent assaults. The court also mandated that Kirkham register as a sex offender for life. The judge emphasized the vulnerability of the victim, who was in his early teens at the time, and pointed out that Kirkham had planned his offenses carefully, creating opportunities to be alone with the boy during the assaults. The judge stated, “You quite clearly have an unhealthy interest in young boys.”

It was also revealed after the verdict that Kirkham had a prior conviction for murder, which was not disclosed to the jury during the trial. His 1982 murder involved suffocating an elderly woman while stealing from her home. His defense attorney, David Williams, explained that Kirkham had served a total of 27 years in prison and was released on license in 1996, the same year the sexual offenses occurred. Furthermore, in 1999, Kirkham was convicted of additional sexual offenses against another boy, receiving a 12-month sentence. However, he was recalled to prison on the basis of his murder sentence license and served an additional 12 years.

Following his recent arrest last year, Kirkham was once again recalled to prison. His legal team argued that, given his age, he would not be released until he was well into his seventies. The court decided not to impose a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) because Kirkham was already on a supervised license following his murder conviction.

North Wales Police’s Dedicated Sexual Offences Team, represented by Detective Inspector Kelly Isaacs, expressed their support for the sentence and praised the victim for his bravery in coming forward. DI Isaacs stated, “Kirkham was a predator who abused the vulnerability and trust of a young boy. It’s important the public know that victims of crime will receive the full support of North Wales Police and its partner agencies regardless of the passage of time between offence and reporting. It is never too late to seek justice.”

For victims who are not yet ready to report crimes, confidential support services are available through the Amethyst SARC Helpline at 0808 156 3658, ensuring that help is accessible at any stage of the healing process.