SEAN ROBINSON OF GODALMING SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR GROOMING AND RAPE

In October 2010, Sean Robinson, from Franklyn Road in Godalming, was sentenced to nine years in prison for grooming and raping a young girl. The offenses occurred in early 1996, when the victim was aged 12 and 13. During a sentencing hearing at Guildford Crown Court on October 7, Robinson was also ordered to remain on the sex offenders' register for life.

Family members, including his mother, father, and sister, were visibly distressed as the judge delivered the sentence. Following a retrial in September, Robinson was convicted on one count of rape of a girl under 13, one count of rape of a girl under 16, and one count of indecent assault. Jurors had previously failed to reach verdicts in his first trial.

The court heard that Robinson had sought to win the girl’s trust by praising her intelligence and appearance. It was also alleged he sat her on his lap, stroked her hair, touched her leg, and lured her to his flat to watch pornography.

Defending Robinson, Rupert Hallowes stated that at the time, “the mental and emotional age gap was significantly less than the physical one.” He added, “She [the victim] was comparatively very mature, physically and emotionally, while Sean Robinson, although 25 then, was perhaps somewhat juvenile emotionally. She became quite besotted with him, but it was his responsibility not to take advantage of her.”

The court was told that the assaults only came to light in March 2009 when the girl confided in her family. She had previously disclosed the abuse to her first boyfriend at age 15 but was reluctant to involve the police.

Judge Michael Addison remarked, “She did not complain to anyone at the time about your contact, but she was no doubt scared and embarrassed. You gained her trust, and on one occasion when she was only 12, you raped her. It is clear she suffered severe emotional damage as a result of your actions.”

The case's lead investigator, Detective Constable Gary Stannard, expressed satisfaction with the sentence, saying, “The finding of guilty this time around, at a retrial, is particularly reassuring. Nine years is a sensible reflection of the gravity of the offenses. While I am not pleased to meet these people under these circumstances, I am pleased we obtained the right result.”