ROBIN HOPKINS FROM GLASGOW AND LEICESTERSHIRE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Glasgow and Leicestershire, Robin Anthony Bertram Hopkins, aged 55, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple heinous crimes involving a young girl.The offenses, which spanned over several years, included rape, repeated sexual abuse, and indecent assault, all committed in Leicestershire during a period more than a decade ago.
Hopkins, who resides on Kennishead Avenue in Glasgow, admitted to two counts of indecent assault, three counts of sexual activity with a child, and four counts of rape.
The severity of his crimes was underscored by the victim’s emotional testimony, in which she recounted her feelings of terror and helplessness during the abuse.
She revealed to police that she was terrified of making any noise, fearing that Hopkins might kill her if she did.
Her words, “I was really scared.
I was crying.
I thought, he’s going to kill me if I make a noise, but I can’t stop crying,” vividly illustrate the trauma she endured.
During her victim impact statement, she described the lasting scars—both mental and emotional—that Hopkins’ actions left on her.
She explained that she constantly struggles to suppress the memories of her ordeal, which continue to haunt her to this day.
Prosecutor Gareth Weetman told Leicester Crown Court that Hopkins first raped the girl before she turned 12 years old.
The court was shown a police video-recorded statement in which the victim described how Hopkins was on top of her, holding her down during the assault.
The girl’s childhood diary also revealed her fear, as she once described Hopkins looking at her with what she called “rapist’s eyes.” Despite her desire to confide in her teacher at school, she felt unable to do so at the time.
Hopkins’ defense team argued that he had no recollection of the offenses, claiming that his memory was impaired due to alcoholism at the time of the crimes.
However, the court was not convinced, especially considering Hopkins’ previous conviction for unlawful sexual intercourse with a different underage girl in 1988.
Judge Simon Hammond, presiding over the case, emphasized the devastating impact of such abuse.
He stated, “The legacy of such abuse has been devastating.
Courts have a duty to protect girls from sexual predators.” The judge expressed particular concern over Hopkins’ dangerousness, citing his prior conviction as a significant factor.
As a result, he extended Hopkins’ license period by eight years and imposed a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits any unsupervised contact with girls under 16.
Furthermore, Hopkins is required to register as a sex offender for life.
The court acknowledged his guilty plea, with Sarah Cornish, representing the defendant, noting that this decision spared the victim from the trauma of testifying in court.
She also highlighted that Hopkins has shown remorse and has begun engaging with rehabilitation programs available in prison, indicating a potential step toward remorse and reform.
