ROBERT COBANE OF WYTHENSHAWE SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR REPEATED CHILD RAPE AND ABUSE IN MANCHESTER

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Wythenshawe, Robert Charles Cobane, born on February 22, 1976, was sentenced to a total of 19 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and repeated rape of two young girls. The offences, which took place during the mid-2000s, involved victims aged between 7 and 12 years old, and the case was brought to a close at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, November 9, 2018.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Cobane had committed multiple acts of sexual violence against the girls, including three counts of raping a child under 13 and two counts of sexual assault involving penetration of a child under 13. The court heard that the abuse was not isolated but spanned several years, during which the victims endured repeated violations of their innocence and trust.

Evidence presented in court detailed that Cobane assaulted one of the girls inside a van, a setting that added an element of fear and helplessness to the abuse. Additionally, he committed acts of abuse at a property located in Wythenshawe, further demonstrating his predatory behavior within the community. Disturbingly, the court was also informed that Cobane subjected both victims to abuse in each other's presence, a tactic likely intended to intimidate and silence them.

To maintain control and prevent the victims from speaking out, Cobane threatened to kill one of the girls if she ever disclosed the abuse. This intimidation tactic underscores the severity of his manipulative and violent conduct. The court heard that these acts of abuse persisted over a number of years, causing lasting trauma to the victims.

It was only after several years that the victims, having spoken with each other and found the courage to come forward, decided to report the abuse to the police in August 2015. Their bravery in revealing the details of their suffering played a crucial role in bringing Cobane to justice.

As part of his sentence, Cobane will be required to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and prevent any further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from predators lurking within communities like Wythenshawe.