Kevin Kerjean, 31, a French national born in the Central African Republic, has appeared in court charged with the murder of his two-year-old daughter in Chertsey, Surrey. He also faces charges of rape of a child under 13 and sexual assault of a child under 13.
Court Appearance and Charges
During Monday's hearing at Guildford Crown Court, Kerjean only spoke to confirm his name and sat with his hand covering his face. Judge Patricia Lees ordered him to remain in custody for a pre-trial preparation hearing on September 14, with a three-week trial provisionally scheduled to begin on January 4 at Guildford Crown Court.
Surrey Police confirmed that the victim was Kerjean's daughter. Officers were called to a property in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, at around 5:40 pm on Thursday following concerns over safety, where the girl was found dead. Police believe the incident occurred within a family setting.
Immigration Status
Surrey Police stated that the Home Office had previously confirmed 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 permitting him to stay until March 2031. The force clarified that speculation online suggesting the incident occurred in an asylum seeker house of multiple occupancy (HMO) is incorrect.
Police Statement
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."
Community Response
On Friday, floral tributes were placed at the entrance to Syward Place, a residential block on the corner of Pyrcroft Road and Bell Bridge Road. The investigation continues.
