PHILIP ROBST FROM SALTAIRE CAUGHT IN BRADFORD AND HAMPSHIRE FOR PREDATORY SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In February 2017, Philip Robst, a man previously known to have resided in Saltaire, was spotted in Bradford after his release from incarceration. His criminal history reveals a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable young girls through the internet, which culminated in a series of serious charges and a lengthy prison sentence.

Back in January 2009, Robst was convicted and sentenced to an indefinite term in prison for his involvement in heinous sexual offenses against minors. The court heard that Robst, a church-going individual, had groomed numerous teenagers, some as young as 12, through online platforms, with estimates suggesting he targeted up to a thousand young girls. His manipulative tactics involved establishing trust and exploiting their immaturity and vulnerability.

Robst, aged 27 at the time of sentencing, resided at Sleningford Grove in Saltaire. His criminal activities extended beyond local boundaries, as he traveled to places such as Grimsby and Andover to meet his young victims in person. Prosecutor Judith Naylor detailed that Robst engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl after parking his vehicle outside a cemetery, an act that underscores the reckless and predatory nature of his crimes.

Further investigations revealed that Robst had traveled to Hampshire to meet another girl he had groomed through MSN chatrooms. He arranged to meet her in his tent, where they engaged in sexual activity. As a computer expert working as an IT specialist, Robst also demonstrated a disturbing level of technical manipulation; he hacked into the girl’s computer to read her emails, further invading her privacy and exploiting her trust.

His arrest came in February 2006, after Lancashire Police detained him following a complaint from a 15-year-old girl who reported that Robst had sexually touched her. During police interviews, Robst admitted to the offense and confessed to having had contact with numerous other young girls. He also admitted to sending explicit photos of himself engaging in sex acts to some of these minors.

Despite his admissions, Lancashire Police initially cautioned Robst and took no further action. However, in October 2007, West Yorkshire Police reviewed a file from Lancashire and seized Robst’s computer. During subsequent interrogations, he revealed that he had made contact with up to 1,000 young girls via the internet, some as young as 12 years old. One 14-year-old girl recounted that Robst used the MSN Messenger username “Snoopy” and repeatedly requested her to undress in front of a webcam.

Robst’s case was brought before Bradford Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty in December to multiple charges, including four counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual activity in the presence of a child, and one count of attempting to have sexual activity with a child. The offenses spanned from February 2005 to February 2006.

Judge Jonathan Rose described Robst as a “persistent predatory paedophile” and emphasized the high risk he posed to young girls. He sentenced Robst to an Imprisonment for Public Protection, with a minimum term of two years before he could be considered for parole. The judge’s stern verdict reflects the severity of Robst’s crimes and the danger he represented to society.

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Adrian Watkins of the Child and Public Protection Unit issued a warning to parents. He urged them to vigilantly monitor their children’s internet activity, including who they communicate with and the nature of their conversations. Sergeant Watkins emphasized the importance of parental involvement in safeguarding children from online predators and assured the public that law enforcement agencies possess the necessary technology to track and apprehend offenders like Robst, who exploit digital platforms for their criminal pursuits.