In 2025, the Offender Database reported that Charles Kirkby, then 39, of Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, Devon, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court.
Charles Kirkby was jailed for 30 months on June 13, 2025, after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault against a girl under the age of 13. The court heard that the abuse occurred in 2024 and was only uncovered after the young victim courageously disclosed the incidents to her mother, who immediately contacted the police.
During his initial police interview, Charles Kirkby attempted to evade responsibility by claiming he was under the influence of alcohol and denying that any sexual offending had taken place. However, he eventually admitted to the charges in court, where he was described as an arrogant and remorseless predator who showed no consideration for the welfare of his young victim.
Just months into his two-and-a-half-year sentence, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) confirmed that Charles Kirkby died while in custody at HMP Channings Wood. Records indicate that he was found dead on August 3, 2025, prompting a mandatory formal investigation into the circumstances of his death, which currently remains in progress.
At the time of his sentencing, Charles Kirkby was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. Detective Constable Jon Stephens of the Public Protection Unit praised the victim’s bravery, stating that her disclosure was the critical factor in bringing Charles Kirkby to justice before he died in prison.
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