SOUTHPORT PAEDOPHILE ROBERT DARBY SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN SHOCKING CASE
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Southport, Robert Darby, a well-known local businessman, has been sentenced to 25 months in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving minors.The crimes, which spanned over three decades, included the abuse of three young children and the exposure of himself to other children who had come to see a puppy at his office window in Segars Lane, Ainsdale.
Darby, aged 57 and owner of Total Gas Safety, was portrayed by the prosecution as a man who maintained a facade of respectability while secretly engaging in predatory behaviour.
The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where Judge Elizabeth Nicholls delivered a stern verdict, emphasizing that the victims had been 'vindicated' and that Darby had been 'discredited' after being convicted of nine sexual offences.
During her remarks, Judge Nicholls highlighted the contrast between Darby’s public image and his private actions.
She stated, “All of this was conducted under the veneer of respectability.
You were regarded as a pillar of the community and a man involved in the church and community projects.” The judge also criticized Darby’s defense, which sought to discredit witnesses and suggested that the police investigation was a 'witch hunt' driven by dishonesty.
She made it clear that Darby showed no remorse for his conduct and lacked the willingness or capacity to accept the harm caused to his victims and their families.
The allegations against Darby came to light after his arrest in 2015, following reports that he had exposed himself to three children at his office.
The children, who had been looking at a puppy in the window, reported that Darby had pulled down his trousers and underwear, exposing his private parts.
Two additional children who passed by also saw him in this act.
Darby claimed that his actions were due to bladder problems caused by spinal surgeries, stating he had removed his wet trousers because he had wet himself.
He also claimed that he was sitting at his desk when he removed his trousers, asserting it was a matter of necessity rather than intent.
Further allegations emerged from women who had visited Darby’s home as children.
One woman recounted how he had invited her upstairs to collect a toy and found him lying on his bed, wearing only headphones, performing a sex act.
She also described an incident where he had placed her in his bed with his sleeping wife, Debbie, and pressed against her.
Another woman reported that Darby had lifted her nightie and made her lie across his lap, while a third woman claimed he had made her take a bath in front of him despite her protests and his wife’s presence.
Throughout the trial, Darby maintained his innocence, denying the allegations and claiming that he only dropped his trousers due to a medical issue.
His defense argued that he was a successful businessman with a history of charity work, and that his reputation was now unjustly tarnished.
His lawyer, Neil Gunn, requested a suspended sentence, emphasizing Darby’s previous good character and the difficulty he faced in accepting the jury’s verdict.
Gunn also noted that Darby was not a 'broken man' but acknowledged that his life would never be the same.
Judge Nicholls, however, was unequivocal in her assessment.
She pointed out that Darby’s conduct often appeared calculated to provide plausible explanations and that his victims had been left blaming themselves, feeling uncomfortable, and believing they could do nothing.
She emphasized that the cumulative impact of his actions over many years warranted an immediate custodial sentence.
As Darby was led away, he looked at some of his sobbing victims and waved to his family in the gallery.
The judge ordered him to sign the Sex Offenders Register and adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the next seven years, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
