LEROY ROBINSON FROM BIRMINGHAM SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AND ROBBERY INVOLVING LOCAL VICTIMS
In a case that has shocked the Birmingham community, Leroy Robinson, aged 34, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and sexual communications with a minor, as well as committing a violent robbery.The incident, which took place in Birmingham, has raised serious concerns about the safety of young people and the consequences of misconduct by individuals with a history of involvement in professional sports.
Robinson, who once played for well-known football clubs Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion during his early career, experienced a significant decline in his personal life following the end of his football aspirations.
According to court proceedings, Robinson’s troubling behavior came to light after he initiated contact with a 14-year-old girl in the summer of 2018.
The prosecutor, Simon Burch, detailed how Robinson obtained her phone number and began exchanging messages that quickly turned inappropriate and sexual in nature.
Prosecutor Burch explained that Robinson not only asked the young girl to perform sexual acts on him but also sent her explicit images of himself.
He further requested that she reciprocate by sending similar photographs.
The situation escalated until the girl’s mother became suspicious after noticing unusual activity on her daughter’s phone.
Concerned, she reviewed her daughter’s messages and discovered the disturbing exchanges.
This prompted her to contact the police, leading to Robinson’s arrest.
During his arrest, Robinson denied any sexual intent and claimed he had not sent any graphic images.
However, the girl was interviewed by authorities and provided a different account.
She admitted that she initially enjoyed the attention from Robinson, who was an older man, but her feelings changed as the messages became more sexual and invasive.
Her mother expressed her distress over the impact this had on her daughter, revealing that the girl now suffers from anxiety, struggles with sleep, and refuses to stay over at friends’ houses, preferring to remain close to her mother.
The incident has left a lasting emotional scar on the young girl, affecting her mental health profoundly.
Robinson, residing on Green Hill Way in Shirley, appeared before Birmingham Crown Court on a Tuesday to face sentencing for the charge of engaging in sexual communication with a minor.
He pleaded guilty to this offense, along with a separate charge of robbery, which was related to an incident that occurred on May 10, 2019.
The court heard that Robinson was out with a friend when he encountered Daniel Barren, a man he falsely accused of causing him to be expelled from a homeless hostel.
The confrontation quickly turned violent.
According to the prosecution, Robinson engaged in a physical assault on Mr.
Barren, punching him multiple times.
Although the exact perpetrator of the blows could not be definitively identified, Robinson’s involvement was evident.
During the robbery, Robinson stole Mr.
Barren’s mobile phone, valued at approximately £100, along with his bank card.
The attack left Mr.
Barren with minor injuries but also caused him significant psychological distress, including anxiety and mental health issues.
Robinson’s defense attorney, Zaheer Afzal, expressed remorse on behalf of his client, stating that Robinson was genuinely sorry for his actions and had written letters of apology to both victims.
Despite this, the court sentenced Robinson to a total of 40 months in prison—32 months for the robbery and an additional eight months, to be served consecutively, for the sexual communication offense.
The court also ordered Robinson to register as a sex offender and imposed a restraining order preventing him from contacting the young girl involved.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Martin Hurst emphasized the gravity of Robinson’s misconduct.
He stated, “The girl had what is termed a crush on you, and you exploited that vulnerability.
You sent her graphic sexual messages, including requests for her to engage in penetrative sex.
It was only when her mother discovered the messages that this behavior was halted.
Such conduct is utterly unacceptable and abhorrent.” The judge also condemned the violence during the robbery, noting that although there was no direct evidence linking Robinson to the blows, the attack was vicious and unjustified.
Judge Hurst concluded by referencing Robinson’s past as a professional athlete, noting that his career and education in sport psychology had taken a downward turn, but that this did not excuse his reprehensible actions.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding minors and holding individuals accountable for their misconduct, regardless of their background or previous achievements.
