DARREN ROBERTS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN NELSON AND BURNLEY
In December 1999, a disturbing case involving Darren Roberts, a man from Nelson, was brought before Burnley Crown Court, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses against children.Roberts, aged 29, was found guilty of luring a young girl back to his residence in Nelson, where he committed a sexual assault.
The court heard that Roberts had previously been convicted of indecent assault in 1995, and as a result, he was required to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
The recent incident, which took place in May, prompted a severe legal response, with Judge David Pirie sentencing Roberts to four years in prison.
The judge emphasized that this sentence was longer than usual, reflecting the serious nature of the crime and the perceived ongoing risk Roberts posed to children.
During the sentencing, Judge Pirie explained that he had taken additional precautions by extending Roberts' license period to three years after his release, aiming to prevent any further harm.
The court was informed that three professionals, including two consultant psychiatrists, had assessed Roberts and unanimously considered him a continuing danger to young children.
This assessment played a significant role in the decision to impose a lengthy custodial sentence and extended supervision.
The court proceedings revealed harrowing details of the assault.
The victim, a 10-year-old girl, had gone missing on the evening of the incident.
Her worried father began searching for her around 10 pm, and upon making inquiries about a man wearing a baseball cap, he was directed to a man matching that description.
Almost by chance, the father spotted his daughter with Roberts at approximately 10:45 pm.
She was carrying a puppy at the time.
Confrontation ensued when the father approached Roberts, who was attempting to leave with the girl.
During the encounter, the girl disclosed to her father what had transpired.
She explained that Roberts had lured her to his house, where he had removed all her clothes except her T-shirt, while he stripped down to his own T-shirt.
Roberts then forced her to lie on the settee and subsequently got on top of her.
The girl, frightened and distressed, tried to push him away, but Roberts told her not to tell her parents.
She also revealed that she had been given the puppy to take to another house, and on their way back, she and Roberts saw her father.
When questioned by police, Roberts claimed that many children visited his house and that some even had keys, which was an attempt to downplay the severity of his actions.
His defense argued that Roberts had endured a difficult childhood, having lived in various children’s homes and suffered physical and emotional abuse.
They highlighted his low IQ and immaturity, asserting that he did not have a sexual attraction to children and contested the assessments made by the medical professionals.
Overall, the case underscores the serious concerns surrounding Roberts' behavior and the measures taken by the court to protect the community from potential future harm.
His extended sentence and license period reflect the gravity with which the judicial system views his actions and the ongoing risk he poses to young children in Nelson and beyond.
