Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Saturday 29th March 2025, at 07:00hrs
Kingsley Balkwill, 27, of Cliff Court Drive, Frenchay, has been sentenced to 19 and a half years in prison for a series of horrific sexual offences committed against four young women.
He was found guilty of four counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual assault by touching, which occurred between 2018 and 2023.
Bristol Crown Court heard how Balkwill systematically manipulated his victims, using emotional and physical threats to coerce them into sexual acts.
Following two separate trials last year, he was convicted of the numerous charges.
During the sentencing on March 28th, the judge condemned Balkwill’s “wholly distorted and entitled view” of relationships, emphasizing that “every sexual act requires the consent of all parties.”
The judge stressed that consent is not transferable and that ignoring a woman’s right to say no constitutes a serious offence.
Victim impact statements read in court detailed the profound and lasting trauma inflicted by Balkwill’s actions.
One victim expressed her hope that no other woman would suffer a similar experience, stating,
“I hope he has considered that the way he views women is wrong. He couldn’t grasp that what he wanted wasn’t always the right thing.
He thought because I was his girlfriend he could take what he wants and that’s just not how it should be.”
Another victim spoke of the ongoing struggle to cope with the emotional aftermath, saying,
“I still recoil at any unwanted physical touch and feel extremely uncomfortable around unfamiliar men or any conversation around rape.”
Several victims highlighted the added pain caused by Balkwill’s refusal to plead guilty, forcing them to relive their trauma during the trials.
One survivor described the moment of the guilty verdict as “the most validating moment,” while another spoke of the complex emotions she experienced, ultimately declaring herself a “survivor.”
Detectives Charlotte Malin, Matthew Beavis, Lesley Ball, and Donna Norman, who led the investigations, praised the victims’ courage in a joint statement.
“We wish to publicly acknowledge the tremendous bravery shown by the victims in this case,” they said. “It is their voices that have made today’s outcome possible and we commend them for their resilience, which has been crucial in making sure a dangerous man is held accountable for his crimes and is taken off our streets.”
They emphasized the lasting impact of sexual violence and reiterated the importance of consent, stating,
“We want this conviction to serve as a clear reminder that consent is fundamental, and no one has the right to violate another person’s autonomy.”
Balkwill will be subject to indefinite notification requirements under the sex offenders register.
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