Locations
Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, L28
Description
A man casually told his wife he had been having sex with a teenage girl - and she alerted police, a court heard.
Paul Robinson's wife was said to have been 'horrified' at his confession, which he disclosed 'as if it was quite normal', a judge was told.
Robinson, a former care worker, then attempted to blame his victim by maintaining that he had been 'manipulated' into his actions.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Thursday that his offending came to light after he 'disclosed to his wife that there had been sexual activity' between him and the teenager. The 38-year-old, of no fixed address but formerly of Stockbridge Village, made the confession 'as a matter of fact, as if it was quite normal'.
But Philip Astbury, prosecuting, described how his wife was left 'horrified' and contacted the police. Officers discovered a string of messages between Robinson and the girl.
While the complainant was initially "afraid to speak" to detectives, she later detailed how he had plied her with cannabis before "touching her inappropriately", reports The Echo.
Robinson has one previous conviction, receiving a community order in 2020 for disclosing private sexual images with intent to cause distress. Stella Hayden, defending, told the court: "This will be his first custodial sentence. During the course of his interview with probation, he was able to articulate a degree of remorse. He described being disgusted by his actions. He did express shame for the serious harm that he has caused.
"In custody, he has been referred for therapy and appreciates that he must work to address his offending behaviour. He is committed to engaging with all of the intervention that is offered to him. One can only hope that the intervention and rehabilitative work will address the risk that has been identified.
"The pre-sentence report details much of the defendant's background. The phrase used is his combined experience of trauma, including the loss of both of his parents at a relatively young age. He has suffered a decline in his mental and physical health in the past few years. The report discusses attempts on his own life and self harm."
Robinson admitted six sexual offences. Appearing in the dock wearing a peach coloured t-shirt, he was jailed for six years and eight months and told to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC referenced Robinson giving an account to the author of his pre-sentence report that the victim had instigated the sexual activity herself and claimed that he had been "manipulated" by her.
He said of this:
"If you have maintained that position, I would not have accepted it.
"This came to light when you told your wife about what had been happening. You groomed her through the messaging and the provision of cannabis. I note that, although you have been diagnosed as having a mild to moderate learning disability, you have been employed, primarily in the care sector. I take on board the submission that you have a limited criminal record, with only one previous conviction for a dissimilar sexual offence.
"This is your first custodial offence, and you have been making use of your time in custody. It is said that you have expressed remorse, but that is tempered with your attempts to blame your victim. She is trying to rebuild her life. She is trying to put all of this behind her."