MAN JAILED FOR RAPE AND MULTIPLE SEX OFFENCES
Kristian John Franks, aged 35 and from NFA in the York region, received an eight-year and nine-month prison sentence after being convicted at York Crown Court following a trial.He was also ordered to serve an extended license period of fourteen years and was subject to a twenty-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The initial victim and Franks encountered each other by chance at a pub on 14 May 2017.
They shared a taxi ride, but she declined his invitation to visit his home.
After being dropped off at her residence, she noticed he had followed her in his van.
He later drove her to a remote spot where he sexually assaulted her after she refused to engage in sex.
The victim reported the assault to her step-brother, leading to police involvement.
Franks was detained by authorities but denied committing any crime, insisting all acts were consensual.
The victim subsequently withdrew her cooperation in the investigation, resulting in the case being dropped.
On 6 September 2023, Franks targeted 16-year-old Leah Bedford on Scarcroft Road, York.
Witnesses observed Leah unaware of her surroundings, with Franks claiming to another witness that he knew her and would take her home.
He then drove Leah to another area of York where he sexually assaulted and raped her.
Leah escaped, managed to flag down a passing driver, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Leah did not recognize her attacker.
An investigation by the Major Investigation Team led to Franks’ identification through his vehicle, and he was arrested the following day.
He again denied the charges, maintaining that his actions were consensual.
He faced two counts of rape and one of sexual assault by penetration and was remanded in custody.
After Franks’ arrest, the Cold Case Review Team revisited the 2017 case, noting similarities in circumstances.
They contacted the original victim, whose confidence was bolstered by the recent charges against Franks.
She revealed that she only withdrew her complaint previously due to threats, which she had been too afraid to disclose initially.
The 2017 case was reopened thoroughly, and after completing further inquiries, the Crown Prosecution Service charged Franks with rape.
Tragically, Leah was reported missing on 20 September 2023, and her body was found in the River Ouse in York eight days later.
Due to her death and the issues surrounding consent, her case was withdrawn in court, resulting in Franks’ acquittal and release.
He has not been convicted of this offence.
Prosecutor Christopher Rose successfully requested that HHJ Morris, the Recorder of York, include Leah’s case as Bad Character evidence for the 2017 trial.
This was based on the unlikelihood of two unrelated women making similar allegations against the same man.
Although the 2017 case was strong, the additional evidence from Leah’s case was deemed to significantly strengthen the overall case.
Witnesses from Leah’s case testified, and her verbal interview recording was played for the jury.
