An African immigrant has been charged with the murder and rape of a two-year-old girl in Britain.
Kevin Kerjean, 31, who police said is a French national, born in the Central African Republic, was arrested in the town of Chertsey in Surrey, south of London, after police found the two-year-old dead at a property on Pyrcroft Road at about 5.40pm on Thursday.
Kerjean, who was known to the child, was charged with murder, rape of a child under 13, and sexual assault of a child under 13, and was remanded in custody in Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
He appeared via video-link in the same court on Monday where confirmed his name through an interpreter, and will remain behind bars until in next appearance, BBC News reported.
Police confirmed Kerjean entered the UK legally and was granted “leave to remain” in March 2021 after applying for EU Settled Status, giving him residence and work rights that were later extended until March 2031.
They also denied the property was used for housing asylum seekers, and said it was believed the alleged crimes “took place within a family setting”.
Police said the child was known to Kerjean, and the incident is believed to have occurred within a family setting. They have dismissed online rumours that the property was an asylum seeker house of multiple occupancy.
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said: “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the child’s family, as well as all those who knew her.”
Header image: Flowers left outside the apartment building where the girl’s body was found (BBC News).
