EDWARDS ROBERTS SHOCKS WIGAN WITH CHILD RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN COURT
In July 2022, a disturbing case unfolded in Wigan involving Edwards Roberts, an 81-year-old man who was convicted of heinous crimes against children.Roberts was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of raping an 11-year-old girl and sexually assaulting a second victim.
The first victim, a young girl, was assaulted while she was peacefully sleeping in her home, with her mother hospitalized at the time.
Roberts also inflicted a cruel punishment by cutting off her ponytail, an act he claimed was meant as a form of discipline.
Adding to his list of offenses, Roberts sexually assaulted a second girl, a teenager, during a session on a sunbed.
For many years, Roberts had maintained a facade of respectability, claiming to have dedicated his life to serving the city of Liverpool.
However, his true nature was finally exposed and brought to justice in a court of law.
During the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Roberts did not accept responsibility for his actions.
Instead, he launched into a furious rant, claiming that his victims had lied and that he was innocent of all charges.
He declared, "Before I go, I’m going to say I committed none of these offences.
There have been absolute lies and distortion in the court.
I did not ever commit these horrendous offences, absolutely not.
They are absolute lies.
I’m an innocent man and I will campaign for my innocence.
They have lied through their teeth.
I did not do these things." His outburst was interrupted by his legal counsel, and a supporter present in the courtroom added, "We’re going to fight this." In a heartfelt statement read aloud in court, the first victim described the profound emotional and psychological scars left by Roberts’ assault.
She spoke of experiencing "daily feelings of fear and loneliness" and revealed that the trauma continues to haunt her into adulthood.
She explained, "What he did to me will always be with me.
As an adult I’ve always tried to blank it out, but it’s always there.
I feel these feelings every day.
They’ve literally come back to haunt me.
I hide behind my past trauma by smiling and joking – I’ve built a wall around me.
All these feelings I’ve buried, I am now thinking about daily.
I assume he is living his life happily, but I’m still suffering.
I carry the scars of what he did to me." Similarly, the second victim’s statement conveyed her feelings of bewilderment and shame.
She recounted how Roberts’ actions forced her to keep a secret for over four decades, leading her to become guarded and emotionally repressed.
She said, "Your actions that day caused me to keep a secret for over 40 years.
From that day, I was always guarded.
Throughout the years, I learned to lock it all away in my mind." Roberts was convicted on multiple counts, including rape, three counts of sexual assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It was noted that he had a prior conviction for assault, adding to the severity of his criminal record.
Judge Anil Murray sentenced Roberts, describing him as someone who had demonstrated "violence and bullying behaviour." The judge emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, "Clearly, the offending in this case is so very serious that only an immediate and substantial period of imprisonment can follow.
It’s not overstating matters to say that what you did to her ruined her life." While acknowledging Roberts’ advanced age and declining health, the judge made it clear that the damage inflicted could not be overlooked.
He remarked, "I accept that this will be your first time in custody and it will be very difficult for you.
I do take into account your age and health, but I cannot ignore the harm you have caused.
It’s evident you presented a different face to the public." Following the sentencing, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Roberts would be required to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
However, they were unable to provide a custody photograph of Roberts at this time.
