Child rapist jailed for lying to police about relationship

HE SAID TRIPS TO SWEDEN WERE WITH FAMILY, BUT WAS JETTING OFF TO SEE WOMAN HE MET ONLINE

A DECEITFUL Derby child rapist illegally began a relationship with a Swedish woman over a shared interest in graveyards and old buildings.

Derby Crown Court heard how Keiron Knight, formerly known as Paul Jenkins, was supposed to tell police officers who were supervising him after his release from prison if he found a new partner.

But for almost four years he failed to do so, saying trips to Stockholm were with his parents.

The court heard that his girlfriend knew about Knight’s crimes and was happy to be in a relationship with him.

Jailing the 46-year-old, of Alvaston, for 16 months, Judge Jonathan Bennett said: “In my view it was very persistent and was over a lengthy period of time.

“It was exacerbated by the deception you spun to the police.

“It was a tissue of lies, you went to see your partner or girlfriend on a number of occasions including staying with her in Stockholm over the Christmas period.”

Stefan Fox, prosecuting, said in 2009 Knight was jailed for eight years for six counts of raping a child aged under 13 and one count of rape of a child aged under 16.

He said at the time the defendant was known as Paul Jenkins and, as part of his punishment, he was handed an indefinite sexual offences protection order (now called a sexual harm prevention order).

Mr Fox said under its terms he is obliged to tell the police about any developing relationship he has.

He said: “On September 29, 2020, he notified the police about is intention to travel to Sweden, saying the trip would be with his parents.

“This raised suspicions with his supervising officer and resulted in further checks on him.

“They discovered three previous trips to Sweden and one to the Republic of Ireland.”

Mr Fox said analysis of Knight’s mobile phone found messages on an online service that he had met a woman called Maria who lived in Sweden.

He said that had led to them forming a relationship and that it was her he was visiting in Stockholm and that she had been coming to the UK to see him as well.

Mr Fox said: “He was essentially off the radar at the times he went abroad and persistently logged false travel arrangements.”

Knight, of Trevone Court, pleaded guilty to breaching his (now) sexual harm prevention order.

David Watts, mitigating, said when his client began the relationship with the Swedish woman he told her immediately about his previous convictions for child rape and that she was happy to begin – and to continue to be in – a relationship with the defendant.

He said: “They met online over a shared interest in old buildings and old graveyards.

“It was a long-term relationship that stood the test of time and has been going for four years.

“He got himself into the position and he did not know how to get out of it though me he gives his assurances this will not happen again.”

Derbyshire Constabulary does not have a custody photograph of the defendant.