Steven Franklin Receives 26-Year Sentence for Child Sexual Assaults Spanning Decades

Steven Franklin, a 71-year-old resident of South Darenth in Kent, has been handed a 26-year prison sentence for committing a series of sexual assaults against two children over a three-decade period. He was found guilty of 12 offences, which included indecent assault and five counts of rape. The sentencing took place at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday. Kent Police stated that Franklin “persistently and repeatedly assaulted his victims in the most vile manner.” His criminal acts dated back to the 1970s, with one of the victims enduring abuse for over a decade. Authorities reported that the police investigation, initiated by allegations from the first victim, subsequently uncovered the second victim. Detective Constable James McClelland commented: “He took advantage of two vulnerable young children, subjecting them to years of abuse, with absolutely no regard for their physical, mental, emotional, or psychological well-being.” McClelland added, “He has subsequently demonstrated zero remorse and refused to confess his wrongdoing, instead choosing to make them suffer a lengthy legal process, during which they’ve had to relive horrific incidents.” Det Cons James McClelland praised the victims’ courage for coming forward to report Franklin’s “abhorrent” behaviour. He expressed hope that the substantial prison sentence would provide them with some measure of comfort. Franklin is required to complete a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole consideration. Additionally, he will spend an extra year under licence.