ROBERT HAWKINS SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN EDINBURGH AND DUMFRIES
| Red Rose Database
Edinburgh Dumfries Rapist
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Edinburgh and Dumfries, Robert Hawkins, a man with a disturbing history of child abuse, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years. Hawkins, aged 58, who previously worked as a security supervisor at courts, was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses spanning over a decade, involving both children and women.
His criminal activities date back to the early 1990s, with investigations revealing that he committed multiple acts of sexual assault at various residences across Edinburgh and at least one in Dumfries. The victims included a young boy aged between six and nine years old, a girl aged six to seven, and two women now in their 50s. These assaults were carried out over a period that extended from 1990 to 2004, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted for years.
Hawkins had initially denied the allegations, but in June, he pleaded guilty to the most serious charges, including the sexual assaults on the young victims. The court proceedings uncovered that Hawkins had also been in possession of a significant number of indecent images of children, with police discovering over 1,100 images and more than 330 video clips classified as the most severe category of child exploitation material. These images and videos were collected between 2006 and 2016, indicating a continued engagement with child abuse material long after the initial offenses.
During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Pentland delivered a stern judgment, describing Hawkins as a “devious, ruthless and dangerous sexual predator” and an “unrepentant paedophile.” The judge emphasized that Hawkins showed no remorse or understanding of the profound harm his actions had inflicted on his victims. Addressing Hawkins directly, Lord Pentland stated, “You are an intelligent man and must have been fully aware of how profoundly wrong your actions were.”
The court heard that the impact of Hawkins’ crimes had been devastating and enduring for those affected, leaving scars that would last a lifetime. As part of his sentence, Hawkins was ordered to remain under supervision and monitoring for an additional five years after his release from prison. Furthermore, he will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities.
Hawkins’ legal counsel, Herbert Kerrigan, argued that his client posed a medium risk of reoffending, citing an assessment that supported this view. Kerrigan also contended that Hawkins could be managed without the need for an Order for Lifelong Restriction, a measure typically reserved for the most dangerous offenders.
Prior to his sentencing, Hawkins had been remanded in custody following his arrest, which was the result of a comprehensive investigation by Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit. The investigation uncovered substantial evidence linking him to the offenses, leading to his eventual conviction. His sentencing was scheduled for July 18, following the court’s review of the case and the evidence presented.
Overall, the case of Robert Hawkins underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in tackling child abuse and protecting vulnerable individuals. The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the commitment of the justice system to hold offenders accountable and safeguard the community from further harm.
His criminal activities date back to the early 1990s, with investigations revealing that he committed multiple acts of sexual assault at various residences across Edinburgh and at least one in Dumfries. The victims included a young boy aged between six and nine years old, a girl aged six to seven, and two women now in their 50s. These assaults were carried out over a period that extended from 1990 to 2004, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that persisted for years.
Hawkins had initially denied the allegations, but in June, he pleaded guilty to the most serious charges, including the sexual assaults on the young victims. The court proceedings uncovered that Hawkins had also been in possession of a significant number of indecent images of children, with police discovering over 1,100 images and more than 330 video clips classified as the most severe category of child exploitation material. These images and videos were collected between 2006 and 2016, indicating a continued engagement with child abuse material long after the initial offenses.
During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Pentland delivered a stern judgment, describing Hawkins as a “devious, ruthless and dangerous sexual predator” and an “unrepentant paedophile.” The judge emphasized that Hawkins showed no remorse or understanding of the profound harm his actions had inflicted on his victims. Addressing Hawkins directly, Lord Pentland stated, “You are an intelligent man and must have been fully aware of how profoundly wrong your actions were.”
The court heard that the impact of Hawkins’ crimes had been devastating and enduring for those affected, leaving scars that would last a lifetime. As part of his sentence, Hawkins was ordered to remain under supervision and monitoring for an additional five years after his release from prison. Furthermore, he will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities.
Hawkins’ legal counsel, Herbert Kerrigan, argued that his client posed a medium risk of reoffending, citing an assessment that supported this view. Kerrigan also contended that Hawkins could be managed without the need for an Order for Lifelong Restriction, a measure typically reserved for the most dangerous offenders.
Prior to his sentencing, Hawkins had been remanded in custody following his arrest, which was the result of a comprehensive investigation by Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit. The investigation uncovered substantial evidence linking him to the offenses, leading to his eventual conviction. His sentencing was scheduled for July 18, following the court’s review of the case and the evidence presented.
Overall, the case of Robert Hawkins underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in tackling child abuse and protecting vulnerable individuals. The lengthy sentence reflects the severity of his crimes and the commitment of the justice system to hold offenders accountable and safeguard the community from further harm.