A 56-year-old man from Penrith, Cumbria, has been jailed for sexually abusing two young girls, with the case coming to light after one victim secretly recorded his offending behaviour. John Lawrence Kernan, of Scaws Drive, pleaded guilty to four sexual offences, including one historical count of gross indecency with a child and three recent sexual assaults on a schoolgirl under 13.
The offences were uncovered when the more recent victim, also under 13, informed her mother about the abuse and showed her a covert video recording made on her iPad during an encounter with Kernan. In the recording, Kernan claimed his actions were merely 'playfighting', but the girl described feeling deeply uncomfortable and knowing that what was happening was wrong. She had previously confided in a school friend but struggled to confront Kernan directly. Her mother, upon viewing the video, felt 'sick to the stomach' and reported the matter to the police.
During the police investigation into the recent abuse, another victim came forward, revealing that Kernan had sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was a child. At that time, Kernan was just 16 years old. Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined these details at Carlisle Crown Court, emphasising the profound impact on the victims. In a victim impact statement read to the court, the mother of the recent victim described the 'significant emotional and psychological impacts' suffered by both her daughter and herself. She noted her daughter's transformation from a 'happy-go-lucky' child to one plagued by regular breakdowns, nightmares, and fear of encountering Kernan in Carlisle, leading them to avoid certain areas.
'He took advantage of an innocent child for his own needs,' the mother stated in her impact statement, adding that the abuse had a devastating effect, with the video images replaying in her mind and spiralling her mental health. When interviewed by police, Kernan initially denied wrongdoing but admitted it 'looked bad'. He later made incriminating admissions to family members, telling a relative that he had 'ruined his life'. Despite being of previous good character, the court heard from defence barrister Mark Shepherd that Kernan had been exposed to inappropriate pornography as a child and expressed remorse with potential for rehabilitation.
Judge Richard Archer, however, highlighted that Kernan had learned little in the decades between the historical and recent offences. Stressing the need for deterrence in cases of sexual offending against children under 13, the judge imposed an immediate custodial sentence to send a clear message to potential offenders and the public. Addressing Kernan directly, Judge Archer stated: 'For that reason, I regret to say to you that I have concluded that appropriate punishment in your case can only be achieved by an immediate custodial sentence.'
The case was prosecuted by Cumbria Police, with reporting by Phil Coleman for The Westmorland Gazette. Kernan's conviction underscores the long-term consequences of child sexual abuse, spanning from his teenage years to adulthood.