DESMOND ROBINSON FROM WAKEFIELD SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF DRUGGED FRIEND IN HOTEL ROOM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Wakefield community, Desmond Robinson, a man with a long history of criminal behavior, was convicted of raping a sleeping, drugged friend in a hotel room. The incident, which took place in October 2020, has brought to light not only his past offenses but also the troubling pattern of behavior that led to this serious crime.

Robinson, aged 52, had previously accumulated an extensive criminal record, including 13 convictions for 24 separate offenses. His criminal history dates back to the 1980s, with convictions for arson in 1986 and 2003, as well as multiple convictions for indecent exposure and indecent assault of a female during the late 1980s and early 2000s. Despite these convictions, Robinson continued to breach sexual harm prevention orders, with the latest breach occurring in 2018. Currently, he is under a sexual harm prevention order that remains in effect until September 2026, and he is also subject to an indefinite restraining order.

The incident in question occurred on October 29 of the previous year, while Robinson was on bail for an alleged assault against the same victim. At that time, he was also under a sexual harm prevention order. The victim, who had known Robinson for several years, had initially befriended him during a period when she was homeless and seeking companionship. Although their relationship was never explicitly sexual before, Robinson’s behavior grew increasingly demanding, pushing the boundaries of their friendship.

On October 28, 2020, Robinson contacted the victim, offering to buy drugs if he could visit her at her accommodation. She agreed, and he was allowed to stay in her bed, a situation that had occurred previously without any sexual activity. The two used crack cocaine together, and the victim also took painkillers before falling asleep. During the night, she made a bed for Robinson on the floor, which she had done before, and told him to sleep there instead.

However, her sleep was interrupted when she awoke to find her knickers pulled down and Robinson raping her. She immediately jumped out of bed, and Robinson giggled before apologizing for having sex with her without her consent. The victim, distressed and seeking help, left the room to find assistance. Robinson followed her, but she managed to get a friend involved. Her friend secretly recorded the confrontation on her phone as they returned to the room.

During the recording, Robinson repeated his apology for the non-consensual sex, a confession that was captured on audio. The victim’s friend waited with Robinson while she called the police. When questioned by officers, Robinson claimed that the victim was a sex worker whom he had paid £100 for consensual sex, a statement that was contradicted by the circumstances of the incident.

Robinson was arrested and taken into custody. His police interview revealed his denial of the assault, instead suggesting a transactional relationship. The court heard that Robinson resides in a pub on Wakefield Road in Normanton, which has been converted into a multi-occupancy residence.

During the sentencing hearing, held via video link from Armley jail, Robinson pleaded guilty to the charge of rape. Leeds Crown Court sentenced him to a total of 12-and-a-half years in prison. The court ordered that he serve a minimum of seven-and-a-half years before being eligible for parole, followed by an extended license period of five years. Additionally, Robinson was subjected to an indefinite restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim in the future.

The case underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance and the enforcement of protective orders for victims of sexual crimes, especially those with a history of repeated offenses like Robinson. His lengthy criminal record and the circumstances of this latest offense highlight the persistent challenges faced by the justice system in managing repeat offenders and safeguarding vulnerable individuals.