KRISTOPHER JANE OF KEYNSHAM BRISTOL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN BRISTOL AND WISBECH

In May 2017, Kristopher Jane, a resident of Warwick Road in Keynsham, Bristol, faced a significant legal development when his 22-year prison sentence for a series of heinous sexual offences against children was extended to a total of 26 years. The extension came after the Court of Appeal, presided over by Lady Justice Hallatt, reviewed the severity of his original sentence, which prosecutors deemed insufficient given the gravity of his crimes.

Jane's criminal activities spanned several years and involved multiple victims, including a seven-year-old girl and a teenage girl of 17. The investigation into his conduct was initiated on September 22, 2016, following a report from a concerned member of the public. The very next day, Avon and Somerset Police officers executed an arrest at Jane’s residence in Bristol. During the subsequent search of his electronic devices, authorities uncovered thousands of indecent images of children, including 1,332 classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of abuse, along with hundreds of images in Categories B and C.

Further investigations revealed that between 2012 and 2014, Jane had been sexually abusing a teenage girl in Bristol. The 17-year-old girl was detained by police at her home in Wisbech on September 24, 2016, and during her interview, authorities discovered disturbing footage and images. These included videos of a toddler being sexually assaulted by Jane, along with still images depicting the same abuse. Additionally, there were photographs and videos of an older child being sexually assaulted by the 17-year-old girl herself.

Detective Constable Leah Meftah from the Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU) emphasized the danger Jane posed, stating, “Jane is a very dangerous individual who has a clear sexual interest in young girls. The victims have been very brave in talking to us about what happened to them, and I would like to thank them for this. I hope knowing Jane is behind bars for the next 26 years brings some comfort to the girls and will help them in moving on from their ordeal.”

Both Jane and the 17-year-old girl were subjected to sexual harm prevention orders; Jane’s order is for life, while the girl’s will last for ten years. Jane was convicted of multiple offences, including assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16, and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. He was also found guilty of making numerous indecent photographs of children, totaling thousands of images across various categories, with some as severe as Category A.

The 17-year-old girl was convicted of offences such as assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, taking indecent photographs of a child under 18, and distributing such images. Her sentencing reflected the seriousness of her actions, with a four-year detention order and a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Hallatt’s decision to extend Jane’s sentence was based on the appalling nature of his crimes, which included sexual assault of a toddler in the back of his van, as well as the possession of a large camera bag with laptops and other devices, some of which were found in his van on false number plates. The police investigation also uncovered videos filmed by the 17-year-old girl, including one showing Jane abusing a toddler, who was seen crying and trying to push his hand away.

Jane’s offences also included sexual activity with a 14-year-old girl and sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl. The court heard that the 17-year-old girl had filmed herself abusing a seven-year-old girl and sent the images to Jane via WhatsApp. Jane admitted to multiple offences, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children, while the girl pleaded guilty to similar charges.

Legal representatives for Jane, including Courtenay Griffiths, acknowledged the gravity of his crimes, describing his actions as “despicable and unforgivable,” and noting that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. The court’s decision to impose a 26-year sentence aims to reflect the severity of his conduct and to protect the public from further harm. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and bring offenders to justice, especially in cases involving the most vulnerable victims.