Man, 31, accused of rape and murder as victim named as his two-year-old daughter

Man, 31, accused of rape and murder as victim named as his two-year-old daughter Kevin Kerjean, 31, is accused of raping a child under 13 and murder following the death of his two-year-old daughter in Surrey A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his two-year-old daughter in Surrey. Kevin Kerjean, 31, who Surrey Police said is 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. Kerjean spoke only to confirm his name and sat with his hand over his face for much of the hearing on Monday at Guildford Crown Court. Surrey police today confirmed 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. Officers believe the incident took place within a family setting, Surrey Police said. Kerjean appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded ahead of Monday’s crown court hearing. Judge Patricia Lees ordered that he next appear in custody for a pre-trial preparation hearing on September 14 and a three-week trial was provisionally set for January 4 at Guildford Crown Court. The Home Office previously confirmed that Kerjean legally entered the UK and applied for European Union Settled Status in December 2020, Surrey Police said on Sunday. He was granted leave to remain in the UK in March 2021 and received an extension which gave him permission to remain until March 2031. The force also said that rumours online that the incident took place in an asylum seeker house of multiple occupancy (HMO) are “incorrect”. Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Groenen said today: “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.