KENNY SMITH OF MORETON IN MARSH JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING SCHOOLGIRLS AND JANE KYLE SHOW SCANDAL

In a case that has shocked the community of Moreton in Marsh and garnered national attention, Kenny Smith, aged 21, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for a series of disturbing sexual offenses involving underage girls. The court heard that Smith, a resident of Stockwells in Moreton in Marsh, admitted to four charges of engaging in sexual activity with two girls between the years 2011 and 2015, with the allegations revealing a pattern of grooming and exploitation.

One of the most startling revelations was that Smith appeared on the popular ITV programme, The Jeremy Kyle Show, ostensibly for a DNA test. During police interviews, it was disclosed that the show’s producers and possibly the host were unaware of the girl’s age at the time of filming. The police investigation uncovered that Smith had a child with one of the girls, who was only 15 years old when she gave birth. The girl, who has not been named publicly, confirmed to authorities that she had a relationship with Smith starting when she was 14, and he was 18. Their relationship began in November 2011, and it quickly became sexual, with Smith being her first sexual partner. She described how Smith would buy her sweets, chocolates, crisps, and fizzy drinks, but as their relationship progressed, he began to exert control over her life.

According to her account, Smith would prevent her from attending school, stop her from socializing with friends and family, and restrict her interactions with boys. She became pregnant in April 2012 and gave birth in December of the same year, with Smith present at the birth and named on the birth certificate. The girl also revealed that Smith would become angry, jealous, and physically aggressive if she tried to contact others or go out. Her testimony painted a picture of a manipulative and controlling relationship that severely impacted her well-being and education.

The case also involved a second girl, who was only 14 when her relationship with Smith began in May 2014. Her mother grew increasingly concerned about Smith’s frequent visits to their home, despite warnings to stay away. Over time, Smith’s visits escalated to overnight stays, and eventually, the mother discovered the two in bed together. Smith claimed he had not touched her, but social services intervened, warning the girl not to have any sexual contact with him. Despite these warnings, the girl went missing for several days at a time, and police found her with a love bite on her neck after she returned home.

During police interviews, the girl admitted that she had started a sexual relationship with Smith because he was kind and bought her gifts. However, she also described how he liked to control her, becoming jealous and angry if she spoke to other boys or went out. Smith’s controlling behavior led to a decline in her school attendance and social life. When arrested in February of the previous year, Smith denied assaulting the girl but refused to comment on whether they had ever had sex.

Further investigations revealed that Smith’s relationship with the first girl, the mother of his child, was not an isolated incident. Police obtained footage from The Jeremy Kyle Show, which showed Smith appearing with the girl and her mother. The evidence confirmed that the girl had given birth at age 15, and DNA tests proved that Smith was the father. The girl, who was 14 at the time she met Smith, described their relationship as sexual from the start, with frequent sexual encounters. She recounted that Smith would buy her treats but also began to control her movements, preventing her from socializing or attending school. Her pregnancy was discovered in April 2012, and she gave birth in December, with Smith present at the birth and listed on the birth certificate.

Questions remain about whether the producers of The Jeremy Kyle Show or the show’s staff had any knowledge of Smith’s relationship with the girl’s mother or the girl herself. The programme has yet to respond to inquiries regarding whether they informed authorities or social services about these relationships, raising concerns about safeguarding procedures.

Throughout the court proceedings, the first girl chose not to give a statement against Smith. In contrast, the second girl provided a detailed account of how Smith exerted control over her, restricting her from attending school and socializing, which she described as a relief now that he is no longer part of her life.

Judge Michael Cullum sentenced Kenny Smith to five years and ten months in prison at Gloucester Crown Court. He also ordered Smith to sign the sex offenders’ register for life and imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of the exploitation involved, stating, “It doesn’t matter that the girls were willing. That is irrelevant. These charges are about the exploitation of children. When you moved on to the second girl, it was deliberate and exploitative. You groomed both girls.”