A 31-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his two-year-old daughter in Surrey. Kevin Kerjean, a French national born in the Central African Republic, is also accused of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault of a child under 13, Surrey Police confirmed.
Court Appearance and Charges
Kerjean appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, where he spoke only to confirm his name and sat with his hand over his face for much of the hearing. Judge Patricia Lees ordered that he next appear in custody for a pre-trial preparation hearing on September 14, with a three-week trial provisionally set for January 4 at the same court.
Surrey Police confirmed that the victim was the defendant's daughter. Officers were called to a property in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, at around 5.40pm on Thursday after concerns about safety reports, and the girl was found dead. Police believe the incident took place within a family setting.
Background and Immigration Status
The Home Office confirmed that Kerjean legally entered the UK and applied for European Union Settled Status in December 2020. He was granted leave to remain in the UK in March 2021 and received an extension allowing him to remain until March 2031. Surrey Police stated that rumours online suggesting the incident occurred in an asylum seeker house of multiple occupancy (HMO) are “incorrect”.
Police Statement and Community Response
Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said: “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the child’s mother and extended family, as well as all those who knew her. Our teams are working hard to build a picture of what happened, and a significant police presence will remain in Pyrcroft Road over the coming days. We appreciate that the incident itself, as well as the significant police presence, will be concerning for residents and we would like to thank them for their cooperation as we conduct our investigation.”
On Friday, bouquets of flowers were left at the entrance to Syward Place, a flat complex on the corner of Pyrcroft Road and Bell Bridge Road, as a tribute to the young victim.
