ROBERT KINSALLA, THE MINEHEAD SEXUAL PREDATOR, JAILED FOR RAPE IN SOUTH MOLTON AND EXETER

In April 2018, a disturbing case of sexual assault unfolded involving Robert Kinsella, a man from Minehead, who was convicted of raping a 13-year-old boy. The incident took place in South West England, specifically in the towns of South Molton and Exeter, and has left a lasting impact on the young victim.

According to court proceedings, Kinsella, aged 57 and residing on Park Road in Minehead, engaged in a calculated grooming process with the young boy. The grooming involved giving the boy cigarettes and alcohol, which served to lower his inhibitions and make him more susceptible to manipulation. The boy, who had recently come out as gay, was preparing to participate in his first Gay Pride march scheduled for the following day in Exeter. This context underscores the vulnerability of the victim at the time of the assault.

The court heard that Kinsella first encountered the boy at a pub in South Molton, where he was accompanied by older family members. The predator then lured the boy away from the pub after they had both consumed alcohol at a separate party in the town. The grooming escalated when Kinsella took the boy back to his home located in Kingsway, South Molton, where he proceeded to sexually assault him. The young victim, who was a virgin, was subjected to rape in Kinsella’s residence.

Following the assault, the boy attempted to avoid further contact by returning to the party and going to bed to distance himself from Kinsella. However, Kinsella, showing persistent predatory behavior, climbed into the boy’s bed. Concerned guests at the party, worried for the boy’s safety, intervened by placing themselves between the two to protect him. The court described the boy’s state as one of fear and shame, emphasizing that he initially kept the incident to himself, feeling embarrassed and unwilling to disclose what had happened.

The prosecution, led by Virginia Cornwall, highlighted that Kinsella’s intoxication played a role in his disinhibition during the assault. She described the experience as painful and traumatic for the young victim, who was frightened and begged Kinsella to stop. The boy’s silence persisted until several months later, when Kinsella began to harass him again. This harassment included giving the boy a bottle of vodka, which led to him becoming severely intoxicated and falling ill, prompting the police to become involved.

During the four-day trial at Exeter Crown Court, Kinsella denied any sexual activity, maintaining his innocence. Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty of rape. The judge, Erik Salomonsen, sentenced Kinsella to eight years in prison. In his sentencing remarks, the judge condemned Kinsella for grooming the child and using alcohol to facilitate the crime, emphasizing that such offenses would have a profound and lasting effect on the victim’s life.

It was also revealed that Kinsella had previous convictions for sexual offenses against boys. However, these past convictions were not disclosed to the jury because they dated back more than 20 years, and thus, were not considered relevant to the current case. The court’s decision underscores the severity of the recent crimes and the importance of protecting vulnerable minors from predatory individuals like Kinsella.