KIERAN FIRTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN EXETER

A man convicted of sexually abusing a child during his teenage years was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on December 4. Kieran Firth, 37, of St Aubyns in Goldsithney near Penzance, was found guilty on five counts of sexual offences against a child, including two counts of indecent assault, two of assault by penetration, and one of sexual assault, following a trial earlier this year.

The offences began when the victim was a girl and continued until Firth was 22 years old. The victim, also from Cornwall, delivered an emotional statement in court, explaining how the abuse has had a lasting impact on her life. She told the court, "The pain of the abuse has not only affected my emotional wellbeing but has also led to my diagnosis of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and PTSD. I struggle daily with intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, dissociation and the overwhelming feeling of fear and isolation."

She also spoke about how the trauma has affected her as an adult, stating it causes her difficulty sleeping and frequent nightmares. The court was informed that Firth had experienced a stroke earlier this year, which resulted in ongoing health issues such as speech problems. Additional health complications include a chromosomal disorder affecting his skeletal development, a learning disability, and heart conditions.

Firth’s defence argued that he has not committed similar offences since and described him as having a very isolated social life, heavily reliant on his mother, who attended the sentencing hearing. Judge James Adkin sentenced him to a total of eight years—seven years in prison and one year on licence—and ordered that Firth serve at least two-thirds of his sentence. Additionally, Firth will be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life, in recognition of the seriousness of his crimes.