MITCHELL ROBINSON FROM COCKERMOUTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER IN CUMBRIA

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predation, Mitchell Harris Robinson, a 19-year-old resident of Fell View in Cockermouth, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in inappropriate and illegal communications with a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over a period of more than a month, during which Robinson initiated contact through Snapchat, a popular social media platform.

According to court records presented at Carlisle Crown Court, Robinson's interactions with the undercover police officer involved a series of increasingly explicit messages. Within just 18 minutes of starting their conversation, Robinson made a sexual remark about the girl’s school uniform, indicating an immediate and inappropriate interest. Over the course of their exchanges, he sent multiple indecent photographs and a lewd video, all of which were intended to exploit what he thought was a minor.

Robinson’s actions did not stop at mere messaging. He actively encouraged the girl, still under the impression that she was underage, to engage in sexual activity with him. The police investigation revealed that Robinson attempted to incite the girl to perform sexual acts, which he believed would be with a child under 13 years old. His conduct was deemed highly serious, leading to his arrest and subsequent prosecution.

During the court proceedings, Robinson admitted to five charges, including one count of attempted sexual communication with a child and four counts of attempting to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. His plea of guilty was accepted, and the court sentenced him to a total of two years and four months in prison.

Judge James Adkin addressed Robinson directly during the sentencing, emphasizing the gravity of his actions. “You are a perfectly intelligent young man,” he stated. “You must have known that sex with children was abhorrent. You persisted with your conduct nevertheless.” The judge’s remarks underscored the seriousness with which the court viewed Robinson’s attempts to exploit a minor, even if the victim was an undercover officer.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online grooming and exploitation, and the importance of vigilance in protecting minors from predators operating in digital spaces.