ROBERT BABEY FROM EASTLEIGH SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN SOUTHAMPTON AND BEYOND

In October 2017, Robert Babey, a 68-year-old man from Eastleigh, found himself facing serious criminal charges after an incident involving a vigilante paedophile hunter. Babey, who believed he was communicating with a 14-year-old boy via the popular dating app Grindr, was caught in a sting operation that ultimately led to his arrest by police authorities. The confrontation was recorded, and a video capturing Babey’s arrest was widely circulated across the country, raising awareness about online grooming and the dangers posed by individuals seeking to exploit minors.

According to court proceedings, Babey used the pseudonym ‘Dad4Lad’ on the app and engaged in messaging with someone claiming to be 14 years old. During their exchanges, Babey sent an explicit image of himself and arranged to meet the supposed minor. When he arrived at the designated location, he was confronted by paedophile hunters who had been monitoring his activity. During the arrest, police found Babey in possession of sex toys, further evidencing his intent and state of mind.

Prosecutor Tom Wilkins outlined to Southampton Crown Court that Babey’s actions were not isolated incidents. The court was informed that Babey had a troubling history of sexual offences involving minors. Notably, he had two previous convictions for indecent assault on children under 16, including a disturbing incident in 2009 where he paid a 15-year-old boy £50 to perform a sex act on him. The court also heard that Babey had a pattern of viewing sexual activity with minors as acceptable, as indicated in a pre-sentence report which described him as viewing such conduct as “ok” and identified him as a serious threat to children.

Judge Gary Burrell QC, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Babey’s repeated offences and his breach of a sexual harm prevention order. Given his criminal history and the nature of his latest actions, the judge sentenced Babey to an extended prison term of seven years. In his remarks, Judge Burrell stated, “You may feel as though you have been publicly humiliated. The truth is, you deserve to be. This was an appalling thing to do.” Babey, who resides on Graham Road in Eastleigh, was thus sentenced to serve seven years behind bars for his misconduct.

Babey’s criminal record is extensive and troubling. His history includes a 2014 conviction for sexual abuse of a young boy, which took place in a sauna and an office. The victim, who was a minor at the time, took eight years to disclose the abuse to his partner, revealing the profound and lasting impact of Babey’s actions. The court heard that the victim, now an adult, suffered from ongoing flashbacks, bullying at school, and difficulties forming relationships, all of which he attributed to the trauma inflicted by Babey. Babey pleaded guilty to a count of multiple incidents of indecent assault and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Further back, in August 2009, Babey, then aged 60 and a former company director, was convicted of sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy in woodland near Southampton. Babey had contacted the youth after seeing his picture online and expressed a desire to engage in sexual activity. Although initially refused, the boy later contacted Babey, citing financial difficulties. Babey then picked him up outside a Southampton school and drove him to Rownhams woods, where the boy performed an indecent act on him in exchange for £50. The police were alerted after the boy contacted a youth worker, describing his actions as “foolish.” When authorities searched Babey’s home, they discovered over 300 indecent images of boys on two computers. Babey, who was then living in Stoke Park Road, Eastleigh, but later moved to Spain with his family, admitted to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images.

During the sentencing at Southampton Crown Court, Judge Jeremy Burford QC highlighted Babey’s extensive criminal history, which included six previous convictions for sex offences involving boys. The judge emphasized the psychological harm inflicted on minors, stating, “Although a boy thinks he is consenting, he is unaware of the psychological harm committed by men of your age.” As a result, Babey was sentenced to 33 months in prison, and he was also banned from working with children for life. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and subject to a sexual offence prevention order, which prohibits him from being alone with children who are not his relatives and from contacting minors via the internet. Babey was also ordered to pay nearly £11,000 in prosecution and defence costs. The court’s decision reflects the serious concern over Babey’s repeated violations and the ongoing threat he poses to children in the community.