Glenn Poyner

A former Royal Air Force (RAF) worker has been sentenced to 19-and-a-half years in prison for committing multiple child sex offences against two young girls. Glenn Poyner, 35, from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court, sitting at Telford Magistrates’ Court, where he received his custodial sentence on Friday.

Poyner admitted guilt in May for eight offences, including four counts of rape, one count of assault by penetration, one count of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual activity with a child. The offences were perpetrated against two girls, whose victim impact statements highlighted the profound and lasting trauma inflicted upon them.

• One survivor described suffering from social anxiety, loss of confidence in interacting with others, and persistent sleep disturbances due to nightmares about the abuse.
• The second victim expressed living in constant fear, triggered by sights such as yellow cars or men with beards, and lamented how the abuse had derailed her potential future achievements.

Prosecutor Mark Connor read out the statements during the hearing. Judge Peter Barrie deemed Poyner 'dangerous', stating he posed a serious risk of committing further offences against young girls in their teenage years and below. To protect the public, the judge imposed an extended licence period of four-and-a-half years following the custodial term, with Poyner eligible for parole consideration after serving two-thirds of his sentence.

In addition to the imprisonment, a sexual harm prevention order was issued, prohibiting Poyner from any direct or indirect contact with the victims. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson confirmed that Poyner was discharged from the RAF in June. Reports from the Daily Mail indicated that Poyner had been housed at RAF Benson, a military family estate near a primary school, after his guilty pleas, despite objections from parents; he was later relocated following threats in shared accommodation.

The sentencing underscores the severity of child sex offences and the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, as evidenced by the extended supervision measures imposed.