ROBERT COX, BOREHAMWOOD AND STEVENAGE PAEDOPHILE MAGICIAN, TRIES TO HIDE PAST WITH NEW STAGE NAME

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Borehamwood and Stevenage, Robert Cox, a magician with a dark and troubling history, has been found attempting to conceal his past of child abuse through the use of a pseudonym. Cox, who once performed under his real name, has now resurfaced as 'Robin Winter,' a stage name he claims is registered with the police, in an effort to continue his career in entertainment without the baggage of his criminal record.

The story first came to light when Cox was convicted in May 2012 of possessing a staggering 18,000 indecent images and videos of children on his computer. The court heard that Cox, then 64 years old, had not only accumulated this disturbing collection but had also shared some of these images with friends, raising serious concerns about his conduct and the potential risk he posed to children.

During the proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, Judge Martin Griffin expressed his deep concern over the case, stating, "You were found with 18,000 images which you looked at and passed to friends. This causes the court a great deal of concern." Cox was subsequently sentenced to a three-year community order, which included mandatory attendance at a sex offender treatment program. The judge emphasized that a custodial sentence would not have been appropriate at the time, as it would not have allowed sufficient time for Cox to undergo the necessary psychological treatment to prevent future offending.

Following his conviction, Cox resigned from the Magic Circle, an esteemed organization that includes renowned magicians such as Dynamo, Siegfried and Roy, and Ken Dodd. Despite his departure, Cox continued to offer his services as a 'comedy magician and public speaker,' and he maintained a presence in the entertainment industry. His new website features a smiling photograph of Cox, along with glowing testimonials from satisfied clients, and claims that he has performed and lectured at prestigious venues such as The Magic Circle in London and The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

When approached at his home in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, Cox defended his use of the alias 'Winter,' asserting, "Winter is a stage name. It is registered with the police. It’s not underhand. I let my membership to the Magic Circle lapse so as not to bring any bad publicity for the organization." He insisted that his act would never put children at risk and that he was committed to maintaining a safe environment in his performances.

Details of Cox’s criminal activities and subsequent legal proceedings reveal a troubling pattern of behavior. The police investigation, which led to his arrest on February 8 of the previous year, uncovered the extensive collection of child abuse images on his computer. Cox admitted to sharing some of these images with friends during police interviews. The network used to distribute the illegal content has since been shut down.

Throughout the court proceedings, Cox’s defense argued that he had left the Magic Circle voluntarily to avoid damaging its reputation and that he had no intention of renewing his membership. His defense also highlighted his employment as a public speaker, including occasions where he was asked to carry out toasts at weddings, and provided references, including one from his wife, to support his character.

Judge Martin Griffith, addressing Cox directly, reiterated the gravity of his offenses, stating, "You were found with 18,000 images which you looked at and passed on to friends. This causes the court a great deal of concern." The judge imposed a three-year supervised community order, requiring Cox to attend an Internet Sex Offender Treatment Programme. He was also ordered to pay £500 in prosecution costs within 28 days, sign the Sex Offender Register for five years, and was told that a short prison sentence would not have been effective in providing the necessary treatment to prevent future offenses.

Cox responded to the sentence with a firm declaration, saying, "Absolutely – you won’t see me in court again," signaling his intent to continue his life under supervision and with the hope of rehabilitating himself, despite the serious nature of his crimes.