GRAHAM ROBERTS FROM NORMANTON SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL IN DERBY
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Normanton Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community, Graham Roberts, a man with ties to Normanton, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences committed against a young girl. The offences, which date back to the 1990s, involved a disturbing pattern of grooming and abuse that spanned several years, beginning when the victim was just 10 years old.
Roberts, aged 62 at the time of sentencing, was convicted by a jury at Derby Crown Court on seven counts of indecent assault. The court heard harrowing details of how Roberts had systematically targeted the young girl, who lived in Derby, and subjected her to sexual abuse. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Jonathan Bennett, expressed his strong disapproval of the severity of the crimes, stating that the standard maximum sentence of 10 years was insufficient given the gravity of the offences. As a result, he handed Roberts an extended sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his actions.
The court was informed that Roberts had begun grooming the girl in the 1990s, when she was only 10 years old. Evidence revealed that he would often park his car near her home in Derby and would play a particular song to lure her into his vehicle. Once inside, he would sexually touch her, escalating the abuse over time. Judge Bennett noted that some of the charges could be considered equivalent to assault by penetration under current laws, and one count was described as an alternative to attempted rape.
Roberts, who is currently held at HMP Whatton, had a prior conviction from 2014 for attempting to groom an underage girl. At that time, he was living on Chatsworth Street in Normanton and went by the name Graham Cheetham. He was sentenced to three years in prison for that offence after attempting to offer sweets to a girl near her home in Pear Tree. He had just completed that sentence when he was re-arrested and charged with the recent offences.
A victim impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound and lasting effects of Roberts' abuse. The woman described how she had struggled with trust issues towards men for many years. She recounted feeling uncomfortable leaving her own baby girl alone with her husband and described her ongoing emotional difficulties, including developing an eating disorder and OCD, which caused her to lose significant weight, dropping to just six-and-a-half stone. Despite these struggles, she expressed a sense of relief and empowerment upon the conviction, stating that she now feels strong enough to seek help and move forward with her life. She described the moment of Roberts' guilt as a weight lifted from her chest, symbolizing a turning point in her recovery.
Judge Bennett addressed Roberts directly, emphasizing the high risk he poses, especially to young girls. He expressed concern over Roberts' attempts to minimize his previous convictions during the trial, noting that Roberts claimed he only pleaded guilty to past offences because he was advised to do so. The judge condemned Roberts' actions, highlighting that his desire for sexual gratification led him to abuse an underage girl, ask her for photographs, and buy her gifts. He praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward and hoped she could now begin to rebuild her life.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Bennett issued a restraining order preventing Roberts from making any contact with the victim, ensuring her safety and peace of mind moving forward.
Roberts, aged 62 at the time of sentencing, was convicted by a jury at Derby Crown Court on seven counts of indecent assault. The court heard harrowing details of how Roberts had systematically targeted the young girl, who lived in Derby, and subjected her to sexual abuse. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Jonathan Bennett, expressed his strong disapproval of the severity of the crimes, stating that the standard maximum sentence of 10 years was insufficient given the gravity of the offences. As a result, he handed Roberts an extended sentence, reflecting the seriousness of his actions.
The court was informed that Roberts had begun grooming the girl in the 1990s, when she was only 10 years old. Evidence revealed that he would often park his car near her home in Derby and would play a particular song to lure her into his vehicle. Once inside, he would sexually touch her, escalating the abuse over time. Judge Bennett noted that some of the charges could be considered equivalent to assault by penetration under current laws, and one count was described as an alternative to attempted rape.
Roberts, who is currently held at HMP Whatton, had a prior conviction from 2014 for attempting to groom an underage girl. At that time, he was living on Chatsworth Street in Normanton and went by the name Graham Cheetham. He was sentenced to three years in prison for that offence after attempting to offer sweets to a girl near her home in Pear Tree. He had just completed that sentence when he was re-arrested and charged with the recent offences.
A victim impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound and lasting effects of Roberts' abuse. The woman described how she had struggled with trust issues towards men for many years. She recounted feeling uncomfortable leaving her own baby girl alone with her husband and described her ongoing emotional difficulties, including developing an eating disorder and OCD, which caused her to lose significant weight, dropping to just six-and-a-half stone. Despite these struggles, she expressed a sense of relief and empowerment upon the conviction, stating that she now feels strong enough to seek help and move forward with her life. She described the moment of Roberts' guilt as a weight lifted from her chest, symbolizing a turning point in her recovery.
Judge Bennett addressed Roberts directly, emphasizing the high risk he poses, especially to young girls. He expressed concern over Roberts' attempts to minimize his previous convictions during the trial, noting that Roberts claimed he only pleaded guilty to past offences because he was advised to do so. The judge condemned Roberts' actions, highlighting that his desire for sexual gratification led him to abuse an underage girl, ask her for photographs, and buy her gifts. He praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward and hoped she could now begin to rebuild her life.
In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Bennett issued a restraining order preventing Roberts from making any contact with the victim, ensuring her safety and peace of mind moving forward.