ROBIN JAMES ELMS FROM CHICHESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WEST SUSSEX AND EAST KENT

A man who worked as a freelance babysitter in private homes has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of sexually abusing children ranging in age from just two years old to 14. The individual, Robin James Elms, 23, of Hunston near Chichester, was accused of grooming families and moving from one household to another, exploiting the trust placed in him by parents and guardians.

According to court proceedings at Portsmouth Crown Court, Elms managed to secure employment through online childcare agencies, which facilitated his access to vulnerable children. His actions, which spanned from 2018 to 2020, involved a series of heinous crimes against nine children across different households. The court heard that Elms had committed a total of 10 counts of sexual assault, along with five counts of taking indecent videos of children and four counts of voyeurism.

The victims included children from three households in West Sussex, with seven children affected, and two children from two households in east Kent. The court was told that Elms’s manipulative behavior and grooming tactics allowed him to gain the trust of both children and their families, making his crimes particularly disturbing. His offenses have caused significant trauma to the victims and their families, and the court emphasized the severity of his breaches of trust and the impact on the community.

Elms pleaded guilty to all charges and was subsequently sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison. The judge’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect children from individuals who abuse their positions of trust. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit online platforms and employment opportunities to commit such heinous acts.