ROBERT WOOLNER'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN STEVENAGE LEAD TO LENGTHY SENTENCE INCREASE

In September 2020, a disturbing case involving Robert Woolner, a resident of Gonville Gardens in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, drew significant attention from law enforcement and the judicial system. Woolner, aged 54 at the time, was involved in a series of heinous acts that highlighted the ongoing issues of child exploitation and abuse within the community.

Woolner’s criminal activities came to light after he was arrested for attempting to engage in a sexual act with a minor he believed to be a 13-year-old boy. In reality, the individual Woolner was communicating with was an undercover police officer, who had posed as a young teenager to catch predators like him. The arrest took place at the location where Woolner and the officer had arranged to meet, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.

Further scrutiny of Woolner’s electronic devices revealed a disturbing collection of extreme pornographic material. Police discovered graphic images and videos on his phone, including three recordings taken during his employment as a school bus driver. These videos were particularly alarming as they captured under-the-skirt footage of schoolgirls as they disembarked from the bus, raising serious concerns about Woolner’s conduct and the safety of children in his vicinity.

Initially, Woolner faced a sentence at St Albans Crown Court on July 17, where he was convicted of multiple charges. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, possessing extreme pornographic images, and recording images under clothing of schoolgirls. The sentence, however, was met with criticism for being insufficient given the severity of his crimes.

Recognizing the gravity of the case, the Solicitor General, Rt Hon Michael Ellis QC MP, intervened under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme. His intervention prompted a review of Woolner’s sentence, leading the Court of Appeal to increase the term to two years and six months in prison. This decision underscores the importance of ensuring that sentences for such serious offenses adequately reflect the harm caused and the threat posed to vulnerable children.

Commenting on the decision to extend Woolner’s imprisonment, the Solicitor General emphasized the importance of justice in cases involving the exploitation of children. He stated, “The offender was caught trying to sexually exploit a vulnerable child, as well as taking advantage of young school children. It is therefore important that his sentence truly reflects the gravity of his crimes, and I am pleased that the judge has agreed to increase the offender’s sentence.”