ROBERT NEWMAN FROM NUNEATON AND RUGBY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WARWICK

In a case that has spanned over two decades, Robert Newman, a man with connections to both Nuneaton and Rugby, has been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing a young boy during a fishing trip more than 20 years ago. The incident, which took place in the early 1990s, only came to light recently after the victim decided to report the abuse to authorities.

Newman, now aged 66 and residing at Shepperton Court in Nuneaton, appeared before Warwick Crown Court to face charges related to his past misconduct. He pleaded guilty to a charge of indecency with a child, leading to his sentencing. The court heard that Newman had admitted to abusing multiple young boys over the years, although he claimed he could not remember the specific boy involved in the fishing trip from Rugby.

Despite his claims of amnesia, the judge, Sylvia de Bertodano, emphasized that the victim, who was just 10 or 11 years old at the time, had not forgotten the traumatic experience. The judge pointed out that the victim’s memories remained vivid, and her decision underscored the lasting impact of Newman’s actions.

Prosecutor Ian Ball detailed that the victim first came forward in December of the previous year, after deciding to report the abuse to the police. The victim recounted that the abuse occurred in the early 1990s, and that Newman had taken him on a fishing trip, during which the abuse took place. Following the report, police officers approached Newman, who, without any prompting, admitted to having abused several boys but claimed he could not recall all of their identities. He did, however, remember being introduced to a boy from Rugby who wanted to go fishing.

Further background revealed that Newman had a history of sexual offenses. In 1996, he was convicted of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency. Later, in 2002, he was sentenced to five years in prison for offenses including engaging in sexual activity with a boy under 16 and indecently assaulting younger boys. These prior convictions underscored a pattern of predatory behavior.

During the sentencing hearing, Newman’s defense lawyer, David Rees, argued that since serving his five-year sentence, Newman had not committed any further offenses. The only exception was a minor breach of a sexual offences prevention order, for which he had received a caution. Nevertheless, the judge sentenced Newman to 16 months in prison, noting that this was the maximum sentence available under the law at the time of the original offenses, and giving him credit for his guilty plea.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring long-standing offenders to justice, and serves as a reminder of the importance of reporting historical abuse to ensure accountability and protect future victims.