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RAF worker facing jail after admitting sex offences against two girls

A judge adjourned sentence on Glenn Poyner after the 35-year-old admitted four counts of rape and two of sexual activity with a child.

Matthew Cooper
Friday 12 May 2023 17:40 BST
Glenn Poyner leaves Telford Magistrates’ Court, Shropshire, after he was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault (PA)
Glenn Poyner leaves Telford Magistrates’ Court, Shropshire, after he was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault (PA) (PA Wire)

An RAF worker has pleaded guilty to eight child sex offences committed against two girls, including four counts of rape.

Glenn Poyner, formerly of RAF Benson in Oxfordshire, admitted the rapes, one count of assault by penetration, one of causing a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and two of sexual activity with a child, at a court hearing on Friday.

Appearing before a Shrewsbury Crown Court judge, sitting at Telford Magistrates’ Court, the 35-year-old also pleaded not guilty to a further nine charges, including counts of rape and taking indecent photographs of a child.

Poyner was granted conditional bail until sentencing after prosecutor Mark Connor said the pleas entered were accepted by the Crown.

I am going to ask the probation service to make an assessment. That ought to include a consideration of dangerousness

Judge Peter Barrie

Mr Connor told the court: “The defendant has entered guilty pleas which adequately reflect the offending behaviour in relation to (one of the victims) over a number of years.

“The prosecution are able to accept those pleas for that reason. In relation to (the second victim) the prosecution accepts those pleas with regard to the court’s overall sentencing powers.”

No facts of the offences were outlined in court and no details of Poyner’s current employment status were given to the hearing.

Adjourning the case pending reports including a psychiatric assessment, Judge Peter Barrie told Poyner: “I am going to ask the probation service to make an assessment. That ought to include a consideration of dangerousness.

“The prosecution have accepted that the pleas you have entered today are sufficient to deal with this matter.

“The next stage is for you to come back to court on August 11th to be dealt with. I am sure you understand the serious position which you face.”

The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment.

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