African-born migrant, 31, charged with murder of 2-year-old daughter | UK | News

A man accused of murdering his two-year-old daughter in Surrey has appeared in court. Kevin Kerjean, 31, is also accused of raping a child under 13 and sexually assaulting a child under 13.

Mr Kerjean spoke only to confirm his name and sat with his hand over his face for most of the hearing on Monday, June 29. Guildford Crown Court. Surrey Police said he was a French national born in France. Central African Republic.

The victim’s name was not revealed in court but the Crown Prosecution Service has since confirmed she was the defendant’s daughter, Assia Kerjean.

Officers were called to a property in Pyrcroft Road, Chertsey, at around 5.40pm on Thursday after safety concerns were raised with police. Assia was found dead.

Surrey Police said the child is thought to be known to the defendant and officers believe the incident took place in a family setting.

Mr Kerjean appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody ahead of a crown court hearing on Monday.

Judge Patricia Lees ordered him to be remanded in custody for his next pre-trial hearing on September 14, and a three-week trial was provisionally set for January 4 at Guildford Crown Court.

According to Surrey Police, the Home Office previously confirmed that Mr Kerjean entered the UK legally and applied for European Union Settled Status in December 2020.

He was granted permission to remain in the UK in March 2021 and was granted an extension allowing him to remain until March 2031.

Police also said online rumors that the incident took place in a multi-occupancy asylum home (HMO) were “false”.

Bouquets of flowers were left at the entrance to Syward Place, a flat complex on the corner of Pyrcroft Road and Bell Bridge Road, on Friday.