ROBERT CARUANA SENTENCED IN BUSHEY FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND POLICE ASSAULTS DESPITE JUDGE'S WARNING

In April 2009, Robert Caruana, a 49-year-old resident of Lea Close, Bushey, found himself at the center of a high-profile case involving serious criminal charges. The proceedings took place at St Albans Crown Court, where Caruana faced allegations of two sexual assaults committed against a teenage girl, along with two additional counts of common assault on police officers.

Earlier in the year, Caruana had admitted to the charges, which prompted the court to consider appropriate sentencing. The presiding judge, Michael Baker, made it clear from the outset that the case was of a custodial nature, emphasizing that prison time was a likely outcome regardless of the results of a pre-sentence report that had been requested by Caruana’s legal representatives. Judge Baker explicitly stated, “This is a custodial case at the end of the day. I am prepared to adjourn for psychiatric reports, but I don’t want you to be under any misapprehension.”

During the hearing, Caruana’s defense team argued that his offending behavior was primarily driven by alcohol abuse. They presented evidence indicating that since being released on bail, Caruana had ceased drinking and was actively attempting to turn his life around. The court had previously postponed sentencing on multiple occasions to allow for further psychiatric assessments and reports, which were deemed necessary to fully understand the defendant’s mental state and potential for rehabilitation.

Following a comprehensive review of all the evidence, including an addendum to a psychiatric report, Judge Baker revised his initial stance. He ultimately agreed with the recommendation from probation services and decided to impose a community order rather than immediate imprisonment. As part of this sentence, Caruana will be under probation supervision for a period of three years. During this time, he will be required to participate in programs designed to address and rehabilitate his offending behavior.

Additionally, Caruana is mandated to register as a sex offender for five years, a legal requirement that involves regular monitoring and reporting. He is also automatically prohibited from working with children, a restriction that remains in place to protect the community from potential harm. This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in balancing punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety in cases involving sexual offenses.