Kieran Smith

Kieran Smith, aged 22, from Highfield Avenue in Grimsby, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 15 January 2026 following a trial at Leeds Crown Court where he was found guilty of serious child sex offences.

The offences, committed against a single victim who was a girl under 13, took place between 2022 and 2024 while Smith resided in Castleford, West Yorkshire. He was convicted of rape of a girl under 13, assault of a girl under 13 by penetration, and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. These acts represented a grave breach of trust and caused significant harm to the young victim.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim's family provided a poignant statement to the court, expressing their relief at the outcome. "We are relieved knowing that you will no longer be in a position to harm children again," they said, while also voicing concerns about Smith's potential future release and the ongoing risk to others. They highlighted the profound impact on their daughter's life, noting that "he has ruined our poor girl's childhood memories," and emphasised the importance of speaking out against such abuse. The family urged others in similar situations to seek help and support, underscoring that no one should withhold full trust from those they believe they know well.

In addition to his custodial sentence, Smith was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will impose strict restrictions on his contact with children under 18 upon release, prohibiting unsupervised direct or indirect interactions. The case was reported by the Wakefield Express on 16 January 2026, drawing attention to the broader issue of child protection in the UK.