TYNESIDE PREDATOR WHO RAPED TWO TEENAGERS WAS GIVEN CAUTION FOR SEX ATTACK ON CHILD
A convicted sex offender, previously cautioned by police for raping a child before assaulting two teenage girls, has been labeled a predator and sentenced to prison.Elliot Robinson notably attacked the first girl while she repeatedly begged him with "no, no, no," causing her to cry, a court was told.
He also assaulted a second girl who was so intoxicated she "could not walk unaided" at the time.
Both women were left deeply traumatised, and a judge remarked that their lives had been "seriously affected" by Robinson's misconduct.
During the court proceedings, Newcastle Crown Court was informed that, between these incidents, Robinson, then 16, had been cautioned by police for raping a child and encouraging a third victim to participate in sexual acts.
Robinson, now 22 and residing on Walworth Avenue in South Shields, was a teenager at the time of these offences.
Judge Gavin Doig sentenced him to eight and a half years in prison for the two rape charges, which Robinson fully admitted.
He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.
The judge praised the bravery of the two victims, stating: "When something terrible happens, there is a strong temptation to withdraw and pretend it didn't occur, hoping everything will just go away.
If these victims had chosen to hide their experiences and not cooperate with law enforcement, these crimes would have remained undiscovered, and you would not have been punished." He continued: "Because of the courage shown by these young women, everyone knows what you did.
I thank them both for their strength and perseverance." The judge further added: "By entering guilty pleas, you have made it clear to everyone that the victims' accounts were truthful—they always have been." In impactful statements, the first victim expressed that she lost what "should have been the best years of her life" due to Robinson's assault.
The second victim described Robinson as a "predator" who exploited her vulnerability.
She also said that the period before he pleaded guilty was "torture" and stated: "I'm relieved he will be in prison so he can't harm anyone else, but incarceration doesn't erase what happened to me." The court was told that Robinson was just 16 when police issued him a caution for causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and for raping a child under 13.
Defense lawyer Josh Normanton stated that Robinson has family support, is in a stable relationship, has demonstrated a strong work ethic, and had been studying in London.
The court was informed that references described Robinson as "hard-working" and "kind," and that he had expressed remorse for his actions.
Following the case, Northumbria Police commented that "as part of Robinson’s caution, he was required to register as a sex offender for one year and undertake diversionary work with social services focusing on sex and consent."
