A man who was acquitted of raping 16-year-old Leah Bedford due to her tragic death has been jailed for the rape of another woman.
Kristian John Franks, 35, was given an extended license of 14 years and must serve eight years and nine months before being considered for parole.
He was sentenced at York Crown Court today (Thursday) after being found guilty of the rape following a trial.
Franks, of no fixed abode in the York area, met his victim by chance, in a bar on 14 May 2017. They shared a taxi, but the victim declined Franks’ invitation to go to his house.
After being dropped off at her home she discovered Franks had followed the taxi in his van. He then drove her to a secluded location where he raped her.
The victim reported the incident to her step-brother and the police were called.
Franks was arrested but denied the offence and claimed all actions were consensual. The victim later withdrew her consent to continue with the investigation, and the case was dropped.
On 6 September 2023, 16-year-old Leah Bedford was targeted by Franks on Scarcroft Road, York.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Witnesses described Leah being completely unaware of where she was, and Franks told another witness that he knew her and would take her home.
“Franks drove Leah to an area of York where he sexually assaulted her, before raping her. Leah managed to flee, flag down a passing motorist and was taken to hospital due to injuries sustained during the attack.”
Leah didn’t know her attacker. An investigation was launched by the Major Investigation Team who were able to identify Franks through identification of his vehicle, and he was arrested the next day.
Franks denied any wrongdoing and again claimed his actions were consensual. He was charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration and remanded into custody.
Tragically, Leah was reported missing on 20 September 2023, and her body was recovered from the River Ouse in York eight days later.
Due to her death, Leah’s case was withdrawn at court and Franks was officially acquitted and released from custody. He has not been convicted of the offence.
Cold case reopened
After he was arrested over the Leah case, investigators from the North Yorkshire Police cold case review team reexamined the 2017 case.
Noting the similar circumstances, officers contacted the victim to discuss re-opening the case.
Knowing that Franks was charged with the rape of Leah gave her the confidence to re-engage with the investigation.
The victim then disclosed that she only withdrew her complaint after receiving threats, something she was scared to tell police at the time.
Franks was then charged with rape.
At the trial, prosecuting barrister Christopher Rose was able to successfully apply to the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, to introduce Leah’s case as ‘bad character’ evidence for the 2017 case.
It was considered far too unlikely a coincident that two unconnected women, would make similar allegations about the same man.
Whilst the 2017 case was strong, it was accepted that the evidence of Leah’s case would significantly enhance the overall evidential picture. The witnesses in Leah’s case were called to give evidence in the trial and her VRI was played out to the jury.
‘No remorse’
After being arrested, Franks twice went on the run before being detained again. He wore the same smirk on his face for each mug shot.
Investigator Amy Gilgrist from North Yorkshire Police said: “The victim of the 2017 case showed immense courage to come to court eight years later and she gave compelling and impactful evidence against her abuser.
“I also want to thank every single witness who attended to provide evidence, at short notice, in such a distressing case.
“Franks has tried throughout the whole of this investigation, to undermine the accounts of his victims. He believes himself to be above the law and has shown no remorse for the acts he carried out.
“The jury has established following all the evidence put to them, that he is guilty and will face the consequences of his actions.
“I hope this verdict can bring some comfort to the victim and Leah’s family, knowing that both women have been heard, listened to and believed.”
An inquest into Leah’s death will take place in due course.
