ROBERT KING FROM SCARBOROUGH SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Scarborough and the wider North Yorkshire area, Robert King, a 69-year-old man, was handed a lengthy prison sentence after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes committed against young girls over a decade. The offences, which spanned from 1970 to 1980, involved a series of disturbing acts of sexual abuse, cruelty, and rape, all perpetrated at various locations within North Yorkshire, with many of the incidents reportedly taking place at a property in the region.

King appeared before York Crown Court via video link from Hull Prison, where he faced the court to be sentenced for a total of twenty charges. These included six counts of indecent assault, two counts of cruelty, and twelve counts of rape. The court heard that the victims, all young girls aged between seven and 18 at the time, endured a prolonged period of suffering, with the abuse occurring over a span of ten years. The court was told that the assaults primarily took place at a property in North Yorkshire, where King’s actions left a lasting scar on the victims.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, presiding over the case, delivered a stern and condemning sentence, emphasizing the profound and likely incalculable impact of King’s actions on the victims. The judge described the case as one of the most disturbing he had encountered in his career, condemning King’s blatant disregard for the fear and humiliation inflicted upon the girls. In his remarks, Judge Ashurst stated, “The impact of King’s actions towards the girls was in all probability, incalculable,” and added, “You could not care less about the fear and the humiliation you were causing them.”

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Alison Morris of North Yorkshire Police expressed her hope that the victims could find some measure of solace in the fact that King was now held accountable for his depraved conduct. She praised the victims for their bravery in coming forward and providing evidence, despite the many years that had passed since the offences. “This case demonstrates that even crimes committed many years ago can be prosecuted successfully,” she said.

Prosecutor Adrian Strong detailed the brutal methods King used to abuse the children, revealing that he had beaten them with a piece of wood and applied skin cream to their injuries as a means of touching them inappropriately. The court was also informed that as the girls reached their mid-teens, King’s abuse escalated to repeated rapes, often carried out during drives to secluded spots on the North York Moors. These acts of sexual violence persisted over several years, causing irreparable harm to the victims.

Defence lawyer David Dixon argued that King had led a seemingly normal, hard-working life since the offences, asserting that there had been no repercussions or reoffending. He claimed, “Whatever happened all those years ago, there has been no repercussion since, no repetition, and as a result, whilst there was that period of time, he put it behind him and moved on, so the risk of reoffending is low.”

During the hearing, it was noted that King had received treatment for arthritis while in prison. However, Judge Ashurst dismissed this as irrelevant to his sentencing, stating, “This would not affect his sentence.” The judge also addressed King directly, saying, “The reality is you are no more ill than the average man aged 69. Unhappily, the courts have had to deal with men in their sixties, seventies, sometimes in their 80s, who answer for disgraceful behaviour committed when they were much younger men.”

Addressing King’s location in Westbourne Grove, Scarborough, the judge condemned his actions, stating, “Your perverted and selfish conduct has cast a dark shadow over your victims, robbing them of their childhoods and blighting their adult lives. You are 69 years old, and today is the day you must face the consequences of your appalling behaviour over a ten-year period.”

After the court proceedings, Detective Constable Morris issued a public appeal, urging victims of similar offences to come forward regardless of how much time has passed. She emphasized that specially trained officers and partner agencies are available to support victims and help them seek justice. “If you have been the victim of a similar offence, no matter how long ago, I urge you to come forward and not suffer in silence,” she said.

King was found guilty by a jury after a two-week trial in July and was remanded in custody at Hull Prison while awaiting sentencing. On the day of sentencing, he received a total of 18 years in prison, with two years for each of the indecent assault charges, to run concurrently. Additionally, he was sentenced to two years for each count of cruelty, to be served concurrently but consecutively with the other sentences. The most severe penalties were for the rape charges, with 14 years for each count, to be served concurrently but consecutively with the other sentences, resulting in a total of 18 years behind bars.