REDDITCH MAN ROBERT MCCORMACK SENTENCED FOR INDECENT IMAGE TO 12-YEAR-OLD IN REDDITCH
In June 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Robert McCormack, a resident of Redditch, who was convicted of sending an indecent image and making sexual comments to a 12-year-old girl via social media.The incident unfolded after the young girl, who was engaging with a social media platform where users often post live videos of themselves singing along to popular songs, became the target of inappropriate messages from McCormack.
According to court reports, McCormack, aged 44 and residing on Upper Field Close in Redditch, sent a message that made inappropriate comments about the girl’s breasts.
The girl did not respond to this initial message.
However, McCormack continued his misconduct by sending a second message in which he claimed he was performing a sexual act upon himself while watching her perform.
Along with this, he also sent an indecent image, further compounding his misconduct.
The young girl, feeling uncomfortable and embarrassed, immediately logged off the platform.
She confided in a friend about the incident, who then advised her to tell her mother.
The girl’s mother subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to McCormack’s arrest.
During police questioning, McCormack initially claimed that his son might be responsible for the messages, but he later admitted to the offence.
The court heard that McCormack’s actions caused significant distress to the young girl, who was described as being ‘embarrassed’ by his conduct.
Prosecutor Lynnette McClement outlined the details of the case, emphasizing that the girl was simply engaging in a harmless activity—singing along to music—when McCormack’s inappropriate messages were sent.
The court noted that the second message included a graphic description of a sexual act and the sending of an indecent image.
Defense attorney Martin Butterworth argued that McCormack’s actions were out of character and highlighted his emotional and depressive struggles at the time, including a recent suicide attempt following his arrest.
Butterworth stressed that McCormack was supporting a large family and that the plea deal spared the victim from having to testify in court.
Despite his guilty plea, McCormack maintained his innocence, with his lawyer asserting that the defendant continued to deny the offence.
The defense also expressed concern about the impact of a custodial sentence on McCormack’s family.
Judge Nicholas Cole acknowledged the seriousness of the offence, particularly because the indecent image was sent after explicit messages.
He emphasized the importance of protecting children from online predators and the need for a sentence that would serve as a deterrent.
The judge sentenced McCormack to six months in jail, suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
Additionally, McCormack was required to forfeit and have destroyed the mobile phone and laptop used in the offence, and he was ordered to pay a contribution of £1,000 towards costs.
