TIMOTHY ROBINSON PERKINS SENTENCED FOR ABUSE IN PERKINS AND DONCASTER

In a significant case that has brought justice to a long-standing victim, Timothy Robinson, a man from Perkins, was convicted of serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl in Doncaster during the 1970s. The victim, who has chosen to remain anonymous for her safety, bravely came forward after decades of silence to share her story and seek justice.

Her ordeal culminated in December of the previous year when Robinson, aged 54, was found guilty of ten counts of sexual abuse at Sheffield Crown Court. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his crimes, which had remained hidden for over thirty years. Judge Sarah Wright sentenced Robinson to nine years in prison, a decision that, while a step toward justice, has left the victim feeling conflicted about the severity of the punishment.

The victim, a mother from Doncaster, decided to give evidence in the case to help ensure Robinson’s conviction. Recognizing the importance of her testimony, she chose to participate via a video-link from a separate room within Sheffield Crown Court, a measure that is often used to protect victims of sexual offenses from direct contact with their abusers during court proceedings. Victims entitled to lifelong anonymity are permitted to give evidence behind screens or through video links, which helps reduce the trauma of facing their attacker in court.

She recounted her experience, saying, “Knowing he would be at court at the same time as me was horrible, but my advocate (Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) gave me a tour of the court the week before, and showed I would be able to go in through a different entrance to the main one, which did help.” She further explained that her testimony lasted only about half an hour and that the court staff and her advocate provided significant support throughout the process. “It was difficult, but to be fair my evidence only lasted for half-an-hour, they didn’t ask me too many difficult questions. And either way it was worth it. This is something that can happen to anyone in Doncaster, in the country. The more people report it, the harder it is for people who do this to get away with it. The advocates really help you, and talk you through everything before it happens. It is horrible, but there are people who will help you.”

Despite the sense of justice served, the victim expressed disappointment with the length of Robinson’s sentence. “This has ruined my life. I’ve had depression for years. I feel sorry for my kids having to have had a mum who has had all this to deal with — and he’ll serve four-and-a-half years. But I’ll never be able to change the last 30 years of my life. I was shocked when he was found guilty though, I really thought he’d get away with what he’d done forever. To know that you have been believed does make you feel good.”

Her trauma was compounded by a chance encounter during a medical examination, where she was examined by a male nurse sharing the same name as her attacker. This led her to inadvertently disclose her past abuse. “I said I didn’t want someone with that name examining me, and told him about what had happened. The male nurse reported it to the police and Doncaster CID got in touch with me. But it took me four months before I felt able to give them a statement. Having to go through it again with a stranger was difficult but the police were really nice with me.”

She also revealed the lasting impact of her trauma, stating, “Things have never felt quite right in my life since it happened. I’ve tried killing myself before because of what happened. I have a borderline personality disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder that they say was triggered by what happened to me. Nothing has been able to help me so far — but maybe having this closure will help me, I don’t know.”

Authorities continue to encourage anyone who has experienced similar abuse to come forward. Anyone wishing to report a crime can contact South Yorkshire Police on 101. The victim’s identity has been protected by changing her name to ensure her safety and privacy in the wake of her courageous decision to speak out.