ROBERT WILLS FROM CIRENCESTER JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN POLICE STING
| Red Rose Database
Cirencester Rapist
In May 2023, a man named Robert Wills, residing in Cirencester, was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting to multiple serious charges related to child exploitation and possession of indecent images. The case unfolded following a covert police operation aimed at combating online child sexual abuse, which began in the autumn of 2021.
During this operation, an officer posed as a 12-year-old girl named Izzy in an online chat. Wills, a convicted sex offender, was drawn into the conversation and initially introduced himself under the alias 'Darren.' He claimed to be a former teacher turned office manager in Burnley, describing himself as six feet four inches tall and single. As the dialogue progressed over several weeks, Wills became increasingly intimate, calling Izzy his 'baby girl' and frequently adding kisses to his messages.
By February 12th, Wills started expressing love for Izzy and referred to her as 'sexy.' He boasted about past relationships with girls her age and even with their mothers, describing in detail how he would take girls out to eat, watch movies, kiss, and engage in sexual activities. On February 25th, he began calling her his 'girlfriend' and told her she was very sexy, claiming that her photographs made his 'heart bubble with delight.'
Wills further detailed his sexual intentions, stating that he would take precautions to prevent pregnancy and explicitly describing acts he wished to perform, including oral sex and other sexual activities. On February 28th, he contacted the undercover officer by phone, mentioning that he owned a white van. The conversations continued across various social media platforms into the following month.
During these exchanges, Wills admitted to masturbating while viewing child pornography featuring girls of Izzy’s age and expressed a desire to be with her while engaging in such acts. He also revealed that he had previously communicated with a girl from Wales and had engaged in sexual activities with her before speaking with Izzy.
Authorities traced Wills through the phone number and social media accounts he used during the online interactions. On April 5th, police executed a search at his residence, where Wills was found to be on the sex offenders’ register. Digital devices seized from his home contained a total of 496 images classified as category A (the most serious), 406 images in category B, and 410 images in category C. Additionally, 51 prohibited images were discovered, along with 17 grams of amphetamine, a Class B drug.
Further investigations revealed that Wills had moved from his registered address without informing authorities or updating his details on the sex offenders’ register. When police attempted to re-interview him in October 2022, they found he had relocated to West Market Place, Cirencester, breaching the terms of his previous court order. Wills later admitted during police interviews that he was aware Izzy was not real and that he engaged in these activities during a 'dark place' in his life.
Wills’ criminal history includes a previous conviction from March 2013, when he was sentenced to 24 months in prison for possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Following that conviction, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
On April 5th, 2022, Wills pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of possessing indecent images across categories A, B, and C, possession of 51 prohibited images, possession of 17 grams of amphetamine, and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. He also admitted to distributing indecent images and possessing extreme pornography involving an animal, along with failing to comply with the sex offenders’ register requirements.
During sentencing, Judge Rupert Lowe addressed Wills directly, emphasizing the gravity of his offences. The judge highlighted that Wills’ previous two-year prison sentence in 2013 should have served as a warning, yet he continued to indulge in such harmful behaviour. The judge condemned the distribution and viewing of indecent images, noting that such acts fuel a market for the exploitation of children.
Judge Lowe described Wills’ online interactions with the undercover officer as a clear indication of his dangerousness and potential risk to children. Despite arguments from his legal team suggesting that Wills was not currently a danger due to the absence of recent attempts to contact children, the judge maintained that his ongoing obsession posed a significant threat.
Consequently, Wills was sentenced to a three-year prison term. The court also ordered the destruction of all digital devices containing illegal images and prohibited material, and imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order along with indefinite registration as a sex offender. The judge concluded by warning Wills that his continued viewing of such material is a choice, and if he cannot resist the urge, he will remain in prison.
During this operation, an officer posed as a 12-year-old girl named Izzy in an online chat. Wills, a convicted sex offender, was drawn into the conversation and initially introduced himself under the alias 'Darren.' He claimed to be a former teacher turned office manager in Burnley, describing himself as six feet four inches tall and single. As the dialogue progressed over several weeks, Wills became increasingly intimate, calling Izzy his 'baby girl' and frequently adding kisses to his messages.
By February 12th, Wills started expressing love for Izzy and referred to her as 'sexy.' He boasted about past relationships with girls her age and even with their mothers, describing in detail how he would take girls out to eat, watch movies, kiss, and engage in sexual activities. On February 25th, he began calling her his 'girlfriend' and told her she was very sexy, claiming that her photographs made his 'heart bubble with delight.'
Wills further detailed his sexual intentions, stating that he would take precautions to prevent pregnancy and explicitly describing acts he wished to perform, including oral sex and other sexual activities. On February 28th, he contacted the undercover officer by phone, mentioning that he owned a white van. The conversations continued across various social media platforms into the following month.
During these exchanges, Wills admitted to masturbating while viewing child pornography featuring girls of Izzy’s age and expressed a desire to be with her while engaging in such acts. He also revealed that he had previously communicated with a girl from Wales and had engaged in sexual activities with her before speaking with Izzy.
Authorities traced Wills through the phone number and social media accounts he used during the online interactions. On April 5th, police executed a search at his residence, where Wills was found to be on the sex offenders’ register. Digital devices seized from his home contained a total of 496 images classified as category A (the most serious), 406 images in category B, and 410 images in category C. Additionally, 51 prohibited images were discovered, along with 17 grams of amphetamine, a Class B drug.
Further investigations revealed that Wills had moved from his registered address without informing authorities or updating his details on the sex offenders’ register. When police attempted to re-interview him in October 2022, they found he had relocated to West Market Place, Cirencester, breaching the terms of his previous court order. Wills later admitted during police interviews that he was aware Izzy was not real and that he engaged in these activities during a 'dark place' in his life.
Wills’ criminal history includes a previous conviction from March 2013, when he was sentenced to 24 months in prison for possessing and distributing indecent images of children. Following that conviction, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.
On April 5th, 2022, Wills pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of possessing indecent images across categories A, B, and C, possession of 51 prohibited images, possession of 17 grams of amphetamine, and attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child. He also admitted to distributing indecent images and possessing extreme pornography involving an animal, along with failing to comply with the sex offenders’ register requirements.
During sentencing, Judge Rupert Lowe addressed Wills directly, emphasizing the gravity of his offences. The judge highlighted that Wills’ previous two-year prison sentence in 2013 should have served as a warning, yet he continued to indulge in such harmful behaviour. The judge condemned the distribution and viewing of indecent images, noting that such acts fuel a market for the exploitation of children.
Judge Lowe described Wills’ online interactions with the undercover officer as a clear indication of his dangerousness and potential risk to children. Despite arguments from his legal team suggesting that Wills was not currently a danger due to the absence of recent attempts to contact children, the judge maintained that his ongoing obsession posed a significant threat.
Consequently, Wills was sentenced to a three-year prison term. The court also ordered the destruction of all digital devices containing illegal images and prohibited material, and imposed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order along with indefinite registration as a sex offender. The judge concluded by warning Wills that his continued viewing of such material is a choice, and if he cannot resist the urge, he will remain in prison.