Kirk Mark Tranchard

Kirk Mark Tranchard, aged 25 from Montgomery, Newtown, was sentenced to four years in prison following an appeal by the Solicitor-General against his original suspended sentence for child sex offences. Initially, on 20 August 2015, Tranchard received a two-year suspended sentence at Mold Crown Court after admitting to three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of sexual activity with the same victim. The abuse began when the victim was under 13 years old and Tranchard was in his teens.

During the hearing at London's Appeal Court on 22 October 2015, Lord Justice Treacy detailed the severity of the offences. The judge noted that Tranchard knew his actions were wrong, as he instructed the victim to keep the abuse secret and professed his love for her, promising they would be together officially when she turned 16. The victim was described as 'shocked' and 'not really knowing what was going on' during the initial molestation. Tranchard admitted to having sexual intercourse with the girl approximately 20 times, along with kissing and foreplay. The abuse had a 'severe psychological affect' on the victim, as highlighted by the court.

The Solicitor-General, represented by Jocelyn Ledward on behalf of Robert Buckland QC, argued that the suspended sentence was 'unduly lenient' given the seriousness of the offending and its consequences. Despite pleas from Tranchard's lawyers, who cited his youth, personal circumstances including a pregnant partner, and apparent maturation, the appeal court quashed the original sentence. Lord Justice Treacy, sitting with Mr Justice Kenneth Parker and Judge David Aubrey QC, ruled that a non-custodial sentence was inappropriate and imposed a four-year custodial term instead.

Tranchard, who had a prior conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was ordered to report to Newtown Police Station by 4pm on 22 October 2015 to begin his sentence. Following the hearing, Robert Buckland stated: 'I asked the Court to look again at this sentence as I feel it is important that the criminal justice system recognises the significant impact his behaviour continues to have on the victim. Kirk Tranchard acted in a way that was wholly inappropriate, committing sexual offences against a young girl who was entitled to feel safe and I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today sent him to jail for his conduct.'

The case underscores the appeal process for unduly lenient sentences in the UK, handled by the Attorney General's office, and highlights the ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable children from sexual exploitation. Source: Wales Online, 22 October 2015.