JOHN ROBINSON, YORK PAEDOPHILE, SENTENCED FOR SECOND TIME IN 2017

In August 2017, a York paedophile was sentenced to six years in prison, marking his second conviction after abusing a total of seven young girls. The victim, who first reported the abuse nearly 19 years earlier, finally received justice. Former Nestlé employee John William Robinson, aged 57, admitted to 14 counts of sexually abusing three primary school-aged girls. He pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault against one girl, three against another, and five against a third, with these offences occurring between 1996 and 1999.

Robinson, residing in Walmer Carr, Wigginton, had previously served a seven-year sentence imposed in August 2012 for abusing four other girls starting in 1998 at his then home in Haxby.

Prosecutor Caroline Wigin explained that one of the victims had an alcoholic and violent father who entrusted her to Robinson’s care. She endured daily abuse at his hands. The police were initially alerted in 1998 when the victim’s aunt contacted authorities, leading to Robinson’s arrest and interview. However, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) concluded there was insufficient detailed and reliable evidence, deciding in 2000 not to pursue further charges.

The victim revisited law enforcement in 2012 after Robinson’s earlier convictions. Ms. Wigin stated, “She rang the police when she heard about the others. She was told to move on with her life.” The victim expressed guilt for not stopping Robinson earlier and described her ongoing struggles, including feeling unsafe, difficulty forming relationships with men, and concerns for her child's safety. She remarked, “It has taken 19 years but I finally feel some justice. I feel anger towards John Robinson and wish he had told the truth in 1998.”

In court, Robinson’s lawyer, Michael Rawlinson, noted only that Robinson had pleaded guilty as mitigation. Judge Paul Batty QC sentenced Robinson, condemning his actions as gross and persistent abuse that shattered trust and caused lasting harm. The judge highlighted that one victim’s efforts to seek justice were initially ignored but that she persisted bravely, ultimately leading to Robinson’s prosecution.

In a separate hearing in July 2017, Robinson was told to prepare for a lengthy prison term after admitting to similar offences. Judge Andrew Stubbs QC granted him bail temporarily to allow him time to arrange his affairs, as Robinson had already served seven years following his 2012 conviction for abusing four other girls. Prosecutor Caroline Wigin revealed that Robinson had instructed the recent victims not to disclose his actions and that they had come forward again after previously making allegations. Robinson, who had worked at Nestlé for 31 years and had resided in York for nearly two decades, had been released on parole in 2016 and was in regular contact with the probation service. His lawyer stated, “He needs time to put his affairs in order to prepare himself and his wife for the substantial sentence he is going to receive.”