NORTH SHIELDS SEX OFFENDER ROBIN LAKE SENTENCED AFTER 16-YEAR STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE

In a significant development in the fight against sexual crimes, Robin Lake, a man from North Shields, has finally been sentenced to prison after a lengthy and arduous legal battle that spanned over sixteen years. The case, which involved the brutal rape of a teenage girl, highlights both the resilience of survivors and the challenges faced in securing justice in such sensitive cases.

It was in November 2019 that Newcastle Crown Court heard the harrowing details of Lake's crimes. The court was told that Lake had engaged in a disturbing campaign of grooming against the young girl, who was underage at the time. His manipulative tactics included persistent harassment and attempts to lure her into sexual acts. Evidence revealed that Lake even offered the teenager £30 to perform sex acts on him, a clear indication of his predatory behavior.

The court heard that Lake's assault occurred when the girl’s defenses were lowered, after she had been drinking. The trauma of the incident was compounded by the initial response from Northumbria Police when she reported the rape. According to the court, there was an