ROBERT COLLINS FROM MERSEYLANDS SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH ONLINE PREDATOR CRIMES
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Merseyside community, Robert Collins, a 39-year-old man with a previously unblemished record, has been convicted of engaging in a series of heinous online predatory behaviors targeting teenage girls.Collins, who once served as the head of art at Formby High School, exploited digital platforms over a span of four years to send explicit images and solicit indecent photographs from minors, revealing a disturbing pattern of grooming and sexual misconduct.
His criminal activities came to light in June 2023 when he initiated contact with what he believed was a 12-year-old girl through online messaging.
Unbeknownst to him, the recipient was an undercover police officer.
During their interaction, Collins asked the girl, “what’s the naughtiest thing you’ve done?” and inquired if she wanted to be in detention with him, clearly attempting to establish a sexualized rapport.
He persistently urged her to send pictures of her body, claiming, “I’m only asking because I like you a lot.” Further evidence revealed that Collins had sent a close-up image of his erect penis along with a photo of a man’s torso, accompanied by the message: “Here’s my d*** X.” This explicit content was part of his ongoing attempts to engage minors in sexual conversations.
Authorities responded swiftly, executing a search warrant at Collins’ residence on Banks Road, Southport.
Electronic devices seized from his home were thoroughly examined, uncovering chat logs with three other teenage girls, confirming a pattern of predatory behavior.
Jo Maxwell, prosecuting at Liverpool Crown Court, detailed the extent of Collins’ misconduct.
She stated, “Sexual communications with the children and attempted communications were discovered on two phones and a laptop.
The communications revealed the defendant had a sexual interest in children.
He used different names for himself but always identified himself as a teacher.” The messages spanned from August 2019 to May 2023, illustrating a prolonged period of offending.
One girl, identified through police investigation, confirmed that she had interacted with Collins via Snapchat, FaceTime, and Omegle, a now-defunct video chat platform.
She recounted that Collins claimed to be in his early 20s, but she quickly realized he was much older when she heard his voice during a phone call.
She noted, “He sounded older and she was aware there must have been a disparity in their ages.” Collins had offered to assist her with her GCSE artwork, claiming to moderate GCSE coursework, and even sent her a picture of his genitals, asking her to reciprocate with her own images, which she refused.
He professed love and spoke of a future together, insisting he wanted a relationship with her, despite her clear disinterest and concerns about the age gap.
The girl expressed her distrust and found his behavior “weird.” Another young girl, only 13 at the time, was contacted via social media by Collins, who asked, “What are those t**s like?” She responded by sending a photo, to which he replied, “Any of them out?” He continued to inquire about her body, requested more pictures, and even asked if she would be willing to meet in person.
Additional messages were directed at a girl believed to be 15, though police could not confirm her identity or whether she was a real teenager or a decoy created by online paedophile hunters.
Devices belonging to Collins also contained four indecent images classified as Category C, depicting young girls in explicit poses.
Initially denying the allegations, Collins later admitted to the offenses, claiming, “I was not targeting a particular aged female.
It was scattergun.” He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual communication with a child, four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of possessing indecent images of children.
Emma Kehoe, representing Collins, emphasized that her client was remorseful.
She explained, “Anything that I say on behalf of Mr Collins is not an excuse for what he did and he wants to make that perfectly clear through me, because he is embarrassed, devastated about what he did.
But there are explanations in relation to why he offended...
It’s a background that goes some way to explain why this teacher, who had been respected and well liked over the 11 years that he worked, found himself communicating with young women online in the way that he did.” Kehoe further revealed that Collins had struggled with mental health issues, including autism, which he was diagnosed with during the investigation.
She stated that his time during the 2020 lockdown, when he was unable to perform his teaching duties properly, contributed to his offending.
She described how Collins, who loved his job and cared deeply about his students, found himself confined at home, teaching online for hours on end, which led to his inappropriate online behavior.
She added that Collins had taken steps toward rehabilitation, including attending therapy sessions and completing various sex offender treatment programs such as the Safer Lives course and the Stop It Now initiative.
Additionally, he had engaged in volunteer work for local food banks and mental health charity MIND, demonstrating efforts to make amends.
Judge David Potter, presiding over the case, acknowledged Collins’ remorse but emphasized the severity of his actions.
He stated, “I have no doubt that you are truly remorseful for your offending and I have no doubt you have placed great stock in your rehabilitation, such as I’m satisfied there’s a low risk of your reoffending.” However, he underscored the importance of punishment, noting, “Despite your remorse, what must be remembered is time and again you made contact with children under 16, solicited pictures of their bodies, and on two occasions, you sent pictures of an erect penis.
In such circumstances, a custodial sentence is required.” Consequently, Collins was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Formby High School’s Headteacher, Mr.
Alex Wood, expressed his shock and disappointment.
He stated, “We were absolutely appalled to learn of these shocking offences.
While the offences are in no way connected to Mr Collins’ work at Formby High School, the severity of their nature meant he was immediately suspended from all duties following his arrest and subsequently dismissed.” He reaffirmed the school’s commitment to safeguarding, saying, “The safety and wellbeing of our students will always be our highest priority and we have robust safeguarding policies in place to ensure their protection.
We have fully co-operated with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Merseyside Police throughout the investigation and thank them for their diligent work in bringing this individual to account.”
