DEREK ROBINSON FROM TAMESIDE ORDERED TO LIVE NEAR VICTIMS DESPITE PAST SEX OFFENCES

In a decision that has sparked widespread outrage, Derek Robinson, a 58-year-old man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, has been ordered to reside in close proximity to the homes of his former victims in Tameside. The case has reignited debates about the effectiveness of the sex offender management system and the safety of communities.

Robinson, who was previously convicted of multiple sexual crimes, was arrested in December 2002 after being found living in a van, despite his obligation to remain on the Sex Offender Register. This register is designed to monitor the whereabouts of convicted sex offenders to prevent further harm. His arrest came after police efforts to locate him failed, leading to his detention and subsequent charging with failing to comply with the register’s conditions.

Despite his history, Robinson was granted bail by magistrates in Oldham, who decided to release him to an address in Tameside. This decision was met with significant concern from prosecution lawyers, who argued that Robinson posed a continued risk to children and could potentially reoffend. The magistrates’ ruling allowed Robinson to live within a short distance of two women he had previously assaulted when they were minors, now adults. Additionally, the bail conditions permit him to reside near multiple schools and a public park where children frequently play, raising alarm among child protection advocates.

Under the bail terms, Robinson is required to report to police daily and observe a strict curfew from 6 pm to 6 am. These restrictions are intended to mitigate risk, but critics argue they are insufficient given his past offenses. Michele Elliot, director of the child protection charity Kidscape, expressed her strong disapproval, stating, “The court’s decision is absolutely absurd – this man should be in prison. The Sex Offender Register was brought in to ensure this sort of thing doesn’t happen yet incredibly it’s happened now. I wonder how the magistrates would feel if this man was living next door to them.”

Robinson’s recent legal troubles include a trial last month, where he faced allegations of sexually assaulting two teenagers. In a rare legal move, the jury was informed of Robinson’s extensive criminal history, which includes eight convictions for sexual offenses spanning from 1975 to 1994. His past convictions include indecent assault on a teenage girl in 1975 and a ten-year prison sentence handed down in 1994 after he was convicted of raping a nine-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl during the 1980s.

Robinson has denied the recent allegations, claiming that the teenagers fabricated their stories of abuse. The legal proceedings have raised questions about the adequacy of current measures to protect the public from known offenders. A spokeswoman for the Probation Service stated that they would review the case, emphasizing that decisions regarding bail and supervision are made by the magistrates’ court. She also reaffirmed that the Probation Service continues to collaborate with other agencies to ensure public safety, but critics remain concerned about the potential risks posed by individuals like Robinson living so close to vulnerable populations in Tameside.