ROBERT ASCOUGH FROM CLIFFE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN YORK

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the community of Cliffe and the wider York area, child sex offender Robert Ascough has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 11 years for a series of heinous crimes committed over several decades. The court heard that Ascough, aged 63 at the time of sentencing, engaged in a pattern of grooming and abusing two young boys, with the abuse starting when one was just ten years old and the other twelve.

According to the detailed account presented in York Crown Court, Ascough used manipulative tactics such as offering motorbike rides and providing alcohol to lure the boys into his control. Over the years, he subjected them to repeated sexual abuse, causing profound psychological harm. The younger victim was so severely affected by the abuse that he developed an addiction to sex and even attempted to take his own life. The court also learned that this victim later faced legal consequences for possessing pornographic images of children on his computer, a direct result of the trauma inflicted by Ascough.

Judge Guy Kearl QC condemned the actions of the offender, describing the crimes as an “appalling catalogue” of perversion. He emphasized the devastating impact on the victims, particularly highlighting how the younger boy was so deeply affected that he felt his sexual innocence had been stolen from him. The judge stated, “You have essentially polluted not only his mind but also his life,” and sentenced Ascough to 11 years in prison for the multiple offenses, which included attempted rape, indecent assault, and other serious sexual crimes.

Ascough pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted rape of the younger boy, serious sexual offenses against the older boy, and four counts of indecent assault. The crimes spanned from the late 1970s to the late 1990s, reflecting a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and was issued a sexual offences prevention order banning him from having unsupervised contact with any boy under 16. Supervised contact is only permitted if the boy’s parents are informed of his convictions and give their approval.

Prosecutor Patrick Palmer recounted that Ascough’s abuse of the older boy began during outings on his motorbike, where he would show the boy pornographic magazines and commit indecent acts. On one occasion, when the boy refused to engage in a sexual act, Ascough committed a serious sexual offense. The victim later confided in police, describing the experience as his first sexual encounter, which he felt was wrong and robbed of his innocence. The abuse was repeated approximately half a dozen times.

More than a decade later, Ascough began abusing the younger boy, with incidents lasting four years. During one weekend stay at Ascough’s home, the victim was given ten beers and subjected to abuse both at the house and during walks in the woods with Ascough’s dog. The younger boy later told court that Ascough told him, “It is for your enjoyment not mine,” and that he could do whatever he wanted. The victim remained silent until court-ordered therapy sessions prompted him to disclose the abuse, leading to Ascough’s arrest. His revelations prompted the older boy to also come forward with his own account of abuse.

Detective Constable Nikki Hall of North Yorkshire Police, who led the investigation, expressed gratitude to the victims for their bravery in coming forward after many years. She acknowledged the courage it took to report such long-standing abuse and praised the officers involved in securing the conviction. The case has left a lasting scar on the community, and the court’s decision reflects the severity of Ascough’s crimes.

Earlier in January 2013, Ascough faced similar charges when he appeared at York Crown Court, initially denying the allegations. However, on the day of his trial, with witnesses prepared to testify against him, he changed his plea to guilty. He admitted to four indecent assaults and a serious sexual offense against a teenage boy, with offenses dating from 1977 to 1981, as well as four indecent assaults and attempted rape of a second boy between 1995 and 1999. The judge, Shaun Spencer QC, warned Ascough to prepare for a substantial sentence and granted bail until the case’s sentencing hearing scheduled for March 11, allowing him to manage personal and financial affairs. The court noted that Ascough had no prior convictions, but the gravity of his admitted crimes warranted a significant punishment, which the court ultimately delivered in the form of an 11-year prison sentence.