The Solicitor General has taken action to step in and extend the prison sentence of a sick Croydon paedophile. Keith Edun encouraged another man to rape and sexually assault a baby as well as distributed indecent images of children.
Edun, 48, from Strathmore Road in West Croydon, was jailed in February for encouraging the rape and sexual assault of a baby, distribution of indecent images of children, two counts of making indecent images of children and perverting the course of justice. An investigation was launched by Met Police detectives specialising in tackling the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in 2021, when officers were alerted to indecent images of children being posted on the social media app Kik.
The Kik account was linked to Edun’s home in Croydon and a warrant was executed in September 2021. Electrical devices were seized and officers downloaded data showing that Edun had been downloading and then deleting Kik in an attempt to hide his online activity.
A separate investigation by another police force led to the conviction of a male for the rape of a baby which occurred in March 2020. Upon examination of that male’s devices the investigating officers located online communication with Edun’s Kik account during which Edun had encouraged the male to commit the rape. Edun also shared videos of babies being sexually abused.
He appeared at Croydon Crown Court on February 14 this year where he was sentenced to an extended sentence of 21 years and six months comprising 13 years and six months custodial term and an eight year extended licence following his assessment as a dangerous offender. He was also issued with a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The judge said that the evidence shows a determined and committed sexual interest in children, especially babies, over an extended period and that Edun poses a significant risk of harm to children. Today (Tuesday, May 13) his sentence was increased after the Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP referred his case to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme.
Edun’s original sentence was quashed and substituted with an extended sentence of 24 years and two months, comprising 16 years and two months custodial term and an eight year extended licence, after it was referred to the Court of Appeal under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme
Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: “Keith Edun is a dangerous sexual predator who poses a serious risk to children. His crimes were deeply disturbing, and I would like to thank the police for their thorough investigation of this matter. The court has rightly decided to increase Edun’s sentence which I hope sends a strong message that this government will take robust action to keep dangerous sex offenders off our streets.”
Detective Constable Phill Govett, investigating officer for the case said: “Keith Edun has proven himself to be a dangerous sexual offender and a clear risk to children. Edun went to great lengths to hide his offending, even deleting a messaging app from his phone before answering the front door to officers ready to search his address.
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