DAVID ROBSON'S SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULT SPREE IN ASHINGTON AND BLAKELAW

In November 2018, a disturbing series of sexual offenses and acts of public indecency unfolded over a harrowing two-hour period in the Ashington area, leaving a trail of fear and distress among multiple victims. The perpetrator, David Robson, a 23-year-old man residing on Rose Hill Way in Blakelaw, Newcastle, carried out a series of aggressive and lewd acts targeting women in various locations, including parks and public streets, with some incidents involving violence and physical assault.

At approximately 3:00 pm on August 18, Robson approached a man and a woman walking near a lake in Queen Elizabeth II Park. According to court reports, Robson shouted at the woman, demanding she remove her underwear in a secluded spot, which caused her to become visibly frightened. When she tried to shield herself by grabbing her friend's arm, Robson forcibly grabbed her arm and repeated his demand using foul language. The man intervened, at which point Robson responded by pulling out a Jif lemon bottle and squirting lemon juice onto his jacket, an act of criminal damage. Robson, who was identified as living on Rose Hill Way, pleaded guilty to charges of common assault and criminal damage related to this incident.

Shortly after, at around 3:10 pm, a 49-year-old woman was walking around the same lake area with her 10-month-old granddaughter, another adult, and her 12-year-old daughter. Robson, still carrying the lemon bottle, approached them and made a lewd comment directed at one of the women. He then lunged toward her, grabbing her arm, prompting her friend to pull him away. The victim shouted for her 12-year-old daughter to run away in tears. Robson admitted to assaulting this woman as well.

Later, at approximately 3:50 pm, a mother walking along Woodhorn Road with her baby noticed Robson staring at her. He then approached and was observed to have his jogging bottoms folded, exposing his genitals, and making a lewd request. When she refused his advances, Robson raised his voice and repeated his demand, frightening the woman.

At around 4:15 pm, a 73-year-old woman walking her dog in a wooded area was approached by Robson. Prosecutor Neil Pallister detailed that Robson grabbed her breast, twisting it painfully, causing redness and bruising. She attempted to defend herself with her dog lead but missed, and upon turning around, she saw Robson had pulled down his jogging bottoms and was exposing himself. He then made a lewd suggestion before walking away.

Finally, at 4:30 pm, a woman on Station Road in Ashington was with her toddler when she noticed Robson behind her. She moved to let him pass, but he grabbed her bottom, stopped to face her, and exposed himself while making a lewd demand. She called him a pervert and continued walking. Robson pleaded guilty to sexual assault and exposure for this incident.

Victims expressed feelings of upset, anger, violation, anxiety, and nervousness in statements read aloud during the court proceedings. The court also heard that Robson has a troubling criminal history, including six previous convictions. Notably, he was convicted of sexual assault in June 2016 after grabbing a female jogger between the legs in a park, for which he received a community order. At the time of the recent offenses, Robson was also serving a suspended sentence for possessing a knife.

In sentencing, Robson was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He is required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years and is subject to a sexual harm prevention order that bans him from entering various parks in the Ashington area for the same period, aiming to prevent further incidents and protect the community from future harm.