JEAN ROBINSON FROM ASHTON SENTENCED FOR DECADE OF ABUSE AGAINST ADOPTED SON

In March 2014, a heartbreaking case of long-term abuse came to light involving Jean Robinson, a woman from Belmont Road, Ashton, who was sentenced to a 12-month prison term after pleading guilty to two charges of wilful assault. The victim, Joseph Robinson, who is now 27 years old and a father himself, bravely spoke out about the traumatic experiences he endured during his childhood, which have left lasting scars.

Joseph's ordeal began when he was just 18 months old, after being adopted by Jean Robinson. Over the course of a decade, from 1988 to 1998, he suffered a series of cruel and inhumane treatment at her hands. The abuse included physical beatings, being confined in a room with no toilet facilities, and being kept in complete darkness by her removing the lightbulb from the ceiling. Joseph recounted that he was often locked in his room with only a mattress on the floor, and that he was forced to relieve himself in the room because there were no proper toilet facilities. When he attempted to go to the toilet, he was met with further violence from Robinson.

Joseph described the emotional toll of these experiences, saying, “I used to cry into my pillow, wondering what I’d done to deserve it.” His account paints a vivid picture of the suffering he endured, which was compounded by the fact that Robinson appeared to maintain a facade of respectability in the community, being a member of the local church while secretly perpetrating these acts of abuse.

Following the investigation that began in 2011 after Joseph reported the abuse to police, authorities uncovered a deeply disturbing pattern of neglect and cruelty. The police described the accounts of abuse and neglect as “deeply moving,” emphasizing the profound impact on Joseph’s life. He revealed that his traumatic childhood has led to a psychiatric disorder that prevents him from working and has significantly affected his mental health. Joseph also shared that his past has made fatherhood more challenging, as he struggles with low self-esteem and fears that his own children might dislike him.

He explained, “I can’t bear it when my partner tells the children off, even though she is right. She says I am way too soft and that I give them too much because I had nothing. I’m getting there, but I often think even my own children don’t like me sometimes because of my low self-esteem.”

Detective Sergeant Jamie Lillystone, who led the investigation, commented on the case’s complexity and emotional weight. “This was a complicated and deeply moving case. The victim was a very young, vulnerable child who was systematically abused and neglected over a number of years by his adoptive mother. This has greatly affected his life and continues to do so today,” he stated. Lillystone praised Joseph’s resilience, noting that his perseverance in seeking justice was commendable. The case was supported by numerous witnesses who came forward to testify, aiding the prosecution.

Robinson’s sentencing at Preston Crown Court marked a significant step in addressing the long-standing abuse. While Joseph expressed some satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I feel good, I feel that justice has been done, though I’d have liked to have seen a longer sentence,” he also conveyed the ongoing struggles he faces due to his past.

Overall, the case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in cases of abuse, regardless of how many years have passed. It serves as a stark reminder that the courts take the exploitation of vulnerable children and adults very seriously, and that perpetrators will be held accountable, even after many years of silence and suffering.