DEREK ROBINSON FROM CHELMSLEY WOOD JAILED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX ABUSE CASES

In a landmark case that has spanned decades, Derek Robinson, a man from Chelmsley Wood, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple heinous sexual offences committed against young children during the 1980s and 1990s.

Robinson, now aged 63, targeted four children, some as young as eight years old, in a series of disturbing assaults that took place primarily at his residence in Chelmsley Wood. The crimes, which occurred when Robinson was in his twenties, involved rape, sexual assault, and indecency with minors, leaving a trail of trauma and suffering for the victims.

The victims included two women and two young men, all of whom were between the ages of eight and 17 at the time of the abuse. Their suffering was compounded by the fact that many of these offences went unreported for years, with some only coming to light after significant delays. One particularly harrowing account involves a woman, now 41, who recounted how Robinson raped her multiple times over a single weekend during a trip, and witnessed him engaging in sexual acts against other boys over a span of many years.

The case took a significant turn in 1993 when a mother of one of the victims confronted Robinson after discovering a letter from her daughter detailing the abuse. Despite this confrontation, no police action was taken at that time. It was not until January 2019 that the allegations gained official attention, after another woman disclosed to a manager that she had been abused by Robinson and had witnessed others being attacked by him.

Following a thorough investigation, Robinson was charged and subsequently convicted on multiple counts, including five counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault, two counts of indecency with a child, and two additional sexual offences. However, a jury was unable to reach a verdict on four charges of indecent assault, leading to a complex legal process.

On January 7, Robinson was sentenced to 23 years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. Most of the offences took place at his residence in Chelmsley Wood, where he lived during the time of the crimes, but the impact on the victims has been profound and lasting.

Robinson’s conviction was officially announced on November 23, after a lengthy trial that confirmed his guilt in multiple sex offences against the four victims, all of whom knew him personally. The case has been praised by survivors and advocates for justice, highlighting the importance of persistence in uncovering and prosecuting historical abuse cases.