ROBERT BATE FROM GREAT SUTTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN ELLSERE PORT AND FRODSHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Robert Bate, a man from Great Sutton, was sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sexual assaults involving a teenage girl he met through the internet. The incidents, which took place in various locations including Ellesmere Port and Frodsham, have left a lasting scar on the victim and her family.

According to court proceedings, Bate, then aged 26, initiated contact with the girl, who was only 14 at the time, through online platforms in February and March of 2002. Despite knowing her age, Bate arranged to meet her in person at a Safeway car park in Ellesmere Port. From there, the encounters escalated to a secluded layby in Frodsham, where Bate indecently assaulted her on three separate occasions. The court heard that during these meetings, Bate performed sexual acts with her and in her presence, actions that left her feeling embarrassed, scared, and psychologically distressed.

The victim’s mother became aware of her daughter’s distress and took steps to intervene. She even contacted Bate directly via text message, urging him to end the relationship and cease contact. Despite these efforts, the meetings continued, and the girl’s mental health deteriorated to the point where she attempted to take her own life. The court was told that the trauma inflicted by Bate’s actions had a profound impact on her well-being.

Legal arguments presented by the defense included claims that there were sexually explicit exchanges between Bate and the girl on both sides, suggesting that the situation was a mutual error of judgment. The prosecution, however, emphasized that Bate exploited the girl’s vulnerability, knowing her age and engaging in inappropriate conduct.

Further details revealed that Bate was aware of the girl’s age but continued to pursue contact. After the initial meetings, the girl entered into a relationship with a different boy, and her mother discovered her diary, which indicated a reduction in contact with Bate. Subsequently, Bate’s behavior turned abusive, and in June 2006, he contacted her by phone, mentioning his arrest and making a disturbing comment about his credit card details being found on child pornography websites.

It was also disclosed that Bate had no prior convictions but was found to have a caution for possessing 39 indecent images of children on his computer. The court noted that the assault was uncovered partly because of this previous caution, which highlighted his history of inappropriate behavior.

During the sentencing, Bate pleaded guilty, claiming that the encounters were chance meetings and that all acts were consensual, with the girl aware of his age. However, the court rejected these arguments, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses.

Judge Elgan Edwards, the Recorder of Chester, sentenced Bate to 15 months in prison for each of the charges, with the sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, Bate was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, was disqualified from working with children for life, and was prohibited from using chatrooms. The judge described the case as a nightmare scenario for parents, condemning Bate’s actions as utterly disgusting and highlighting the betrayal of trust involved in the offenses.