ROBERT IVEY FROM BRANSCOMBE AND SIDMOUTH CAUGHT IN TYWYN AFTER SEX OFFENCE ATTEMPT

In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Sidmouth, Branscombe, and now Tywyn, Robert Ivey, a known sex offender, was recently convicted of attempting to lure a young girl into bushes at a seaside resort. The incident took place in Sidmouth, where Ivey, despite being under strict legal restrictions, approached a ten-year-old girl while she was enjoying a family outing near the river in the town's center.

According to reports, Ivey was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that explicitly prohibited him from approaching women or girls. However, he flagrantly violated this order by engaging the young girl in conversation as she played nearby. The girl was with her family at the time, and her older sister, aged 16, intervened to rescue her from Ivey’s unwanted attention. The situation escalated when Ivey fled the scene, heading towards a nearby cemetery, prompting the family to alert the police.

Law enforcement officials quickly responded, and Ivey was identified and apprehended in Coburg Road, Sidmouth, shortly after the incident. During police interviews, the young girl recounted her experience, stating, “I knew something was not right. He was begging me to go into the bushes with him.” The family’s prompt action and the police’s swift response were instrumental in preventing further harm.

At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Erik Salomonsen condemned Ivey’s actions, emphasizing the danger he posed to the public. The court heard that Ivey, aged 30 and residing at Trafalgar Terrace, Branscombe, had previously been convicted of exposing himself to a 45-year-old woman in Sidmouth in 2010, which had resulted in a prior SOPO. This earlier offense involved inappropriate behavior towards a woman walking her dog in Sidmouth’s parks, and the order issued then was designed to prevent any further contact with female strangers.

During the recent court proceedings, it was revealed that Ivey had told a probation officer that his plan to expose himself to the young girl was a “life-affirming gesture,” reasoning that her reaction might cause him to “re-evaluate his life.” Such comments alarmed the court, highlighting his manipulative tendencies and the high risk of reoffending. The judge described Ivey as a manipulative individual whose attitude towards his offenses was extremely concerning.

Prosecutor Mr. Adrian Chaplin detailed the events, noting that Ivey approached the girl while she was playing on the other side of a ford in the river, groping himself and asking her to “stand guard” while he urinated in the bushes. He then attempted to persuade her to accompany him into the bushes, but she ran away in fear. The family’s quick response and the girl’s bravery prevented further harm, and Ivey was arrested shortly afterward. His description matched the police’s description, leading to his immediate detention.

In court, Ivey admitted to breaching the SOPO and was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a more stringent SOPO that prohibits any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18. Judge Salomonsen expressed grave concern over Ivey’s manipulative behavior and his willingness to breach protective orders, stating, “The probation report writer describes you as manipulative and says your attitude towards this offence is extremely worrying and indicates a high risk of committing other offences.”

Defense lawyer Mr. Lee Bremridge argued that Ivey’s public safety would be better served if he participated in a sex offenders’ treatment program rather than serving time in prison. He attributed Ivey’s troubling behavior to severe depression and anxiety following the breakdown of a long-term relationship, suggesting that these issues contributed to his actions and that proper treatment could mitigate future risks.

As the case concludes, the communities of Sidmouth, Branscombe, and Tywyn are left to grapple with the implications of Ivey’s actions and the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting vulnerable members of society from individuals with a history of sexual offenses.