GAVIN ROBERTS SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN JERSEY FOR MULTIPLE SEXUAL OFFENCES AND ASSAULTS

Gavin Neil Roberts, a 45-year-old former restaurant owner from Jersey, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 15 years following a series of serious criminal acts committed over a span of several years. Roberts, who was previously associated with the now-closed Shinzo restaurant located in St Aubin, appeared before the Royal Court of Jersey to face justice for his actions.

After a detailed and careful deliberation that lasted approximately an hour and a half, the court jurats handed down a comprehensive sentence that covered a total of eleven separate offences. These included charges of rape, sexual penetration without consent on two occasions, multiple counts of common or grave assault and criminal assault, as well as three charges of voyeurism. The incidents that led to these charges occurred between the years 2018 and 2022, highlighting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior over an extended period.

During the court proceedings, Roberts displayed a provocative attitude by clapping sarcastically when the verdict was announced, a gesture that drew attention to his apparent lack of remorse. The court heard from victims who bravely came forward to recount their traumatic experiences. One of these victims, who chose to waive her right to anonymity, described the physical and psychological injuries inflicted by Roberts, including an incident where he raped and strangled her, resulting in her being hospitalized multiple times.

Another victim, Suzie Mahe, who was in a relationship with Roberts at the time of the offences, expressed her gratitude to those involved in the case. She emphasized her desire to stand united against domestic abuse and shared her personal journey of resilience. Mahe recounted her feelings of empowerment, stating, “Today, I was able to stand up in court and read my own victim impact statement, and it was such a privilege. This was my way to use my voice and stay strong in front of my abuser.” She further urged others to speak out, asserting, “I want my voice to show others that you can reach out and speak up, and your voice will be heard and listened to.”

In addition, Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit read a statement from another woman who had been assaulted by Roberts on two separate occasions. This victim, who initially considered herself confident and independent, expressed her devastation, saying, “I now feel like all of this has been taken away from me, and I’m not sure what my future will look like.”

Roberts was arrested on October 30, 2022, after police received reports of an assault and rape in St Helier. The first incident involving Mahe occurred on October 2, 2022, on Bath Street, where Roberts allegedly pushed her against a doorway and grabbed her by the neck. Subsequently, while abroad around October 15, 2022, Roberts is accused of raping Mahe using an object for penetration, an assault that left her with significant facial injuries and bruising across her body.

Further allegations emerged when a second woman came forward, reporting two separate assaults that took place between February and September 2022. The case also included charges of voyeurism, related to Roberts filming a third woman during sexual activity without her consent. The court found that all these acts were committed without the victims’ consent and without any reasonable belief that consent had been given.

During the sentencing hearing, Mr. Maletroit called for a new approach to sentencing sexual offences in Jersey. He highlighted the absence of established local sentencing guidelines for such cases, which had previously resulted in inconsistent verdicts. He proposed that this case serve as a catalyst for creating a standardized guideline, suggesting a starting point of five to six years in prison for cases where guilt is contested, with the maximum penalty reaching 15 years for particularly severe cases involving extreme harm to the victim.

Kate Wright, CEO of Free from Domestic Abuse (Freeda) and chair of the Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce, expressed hope that this sentencing would lead to the development of clearer guidelines. She emphasized the importance of restoring trust in the justice system for women and girls in Jersey, stating, “I hope that this heralds the introduction of new sentencing guidelines that will show women and girls in Jersey especially that they can have trust in our courts and they can achieve the justice they so deserve.” Wright also praised the bravery of the victims, particularly noting the significance of one victim reading her statement aloud in court, which she described as an inspiring act of courage.