ROBST CHURCH FROM ROCHFORD ESCAPES JAIL AFTER INTRUSION IN RAYLEIGH

In a disturbing incident that took place in Rayleigh, Robert Church, aged 49 and a resident of Rochford, was involved in a serious criminal act that could have had devastating consequences. The events unfolded in October 2020 when Church forcefully entered a private residence through a broken door, displaying a reckless disregard for the law and the safety of its occupants.

According to court reports, Church was under the influence of cocaine during the incident, which had been fueled by a prolonged binge lasting several days. This drug-fueled state appeared to impair his judgment and led to his unlawful actions. The court was informed that prior to the intrusion, Church had been engaging in online messaging with the victim, a woman living in Rayleigh. He mistakenly believed that she was interested in taking drugs and engaging in sexual activity, which contributed to his erratic behavior.

Once inside the victim’s home, Church set up drugs beside her bed using a blade, indicating a dangerous and reckless attitude towards drug possession and use. He then proceeded to pick up the woman, who was asleep at the time, and carried her upstairs. His actions culminated in him throwing her onto a bed, an act that could have easily escalated into a sexual assault. Fortunately, the woman woke up during the incident and challenged Church, prompting him to flee the scene quickly, avoiding further confrontation or harm.

During the sentencing hearing held at Basildon Crown Court, the court was presented with details of Church’s prior conduct and the impact of his actions on the victim. A victim impact statement was read aloud, revealing the profound and lasting emotional trauma inflicted upon her. She expressed her distress, stating, “I cannot stop crying and it’s really shaken me up. I am feeling even more anxious and am staying indoors all day which is not good for my mental wellbeing.”

Church faced multiple charges related to his unlawful entry and drug possession. He was convicted of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, possession of a controlled Class A drug, and having an article with a blade of point. He later admitted to possessing the drugs and the blade during the proceedings, and a trial confirmed his guilt on the trespass charge.

In terms of sentencing, the court imposed a series of penalties. Church was sentenced to two years in prison, but this sentence was suspended for two years, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed another offence within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 40 days of rehabilitation activities and pay £500 in compensation to the victim for the trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence. For the possession of a blade, he received a four-month prison sentence, also suspended for two years. Furthermore, he was given two separate seven-day sentences, suspended for two years, for possessing Class A drugs. All these sentences are to run concurrently, ensuring that the total period of supervision and penalties is comprehensive.

Church was also subjected to a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim and was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, reflecting the severity of his actions and the potential risk he poses to the community. The court’s decision underscores the importance of safeguarding victims and maintaining public safety in cases involving unlawful intrusion, drug abuse, and potential sexual offences.