ROBERT KEEN FROM CHATTERIS SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL OFFENSES AND VIDEO TAPE THREATS

In September 2005, a disturbing case involving Robert Keen, a resident of London Road, Chatteris, came to light as he was sentenced for a series of heinous sexual crimes. Keen, aged 65, was found guilty of multiple serious offenses, including rape, gross indecency, and harassment, all committed over a span of more than two decades. His actions not only inflicted profound harm on his victims but also involved a sinister element of intimidation through the threat of releasing a video tape of his assault.

The court heard that Keen had recorded a horrifying attack on a young woman, which he then used as leverage to threaten her. He warned her that if she dared to report him to the police, he would upload the footage onto the internet, thereby exposing her to public shame and humiliation. This chilling threat was part of Keen’s broader pattern of manipulative and depraved behavior, which aimed to silence his victims through fear.

Despite Keen’s attempts at intimidation, his victim chose to break free from his coercion after learning about his past misconduct. It was revealed during the proceedings that Keen had previously engaged in other depraved acts, including abusing another young girl. This revelation underscored the extent of his predatory behavior and contributed to the court’s understanding of the severity of his crimes.

During the hearing at Peterborough Crown Court, prosecutor Claire Matthews detailed the horrific nature of Keen’s offenses. She spent twenty minutes describing the extensive and disturbing details of his attacks, emphasizing how Keen employed increasingly desperate tactics to prevent his victims from coming forward. Matthews highlighted that Keen had begged one victim not to report him to his wife, who was unwell at the time, and had left an answerphone message threatening to release the videos online if she did.

Keen had earlier pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including one count of rape, two counts of raping a child under 16, one count of gross indecency with a child under 13, another count of gross indecency, and harassment. The court was told that each of these counts represented a much larger series of offenses, illustrating a pattern of persistent sexual abuse spanning over 26 years.

In mitigation, defense lawyer Thomas Brown argued that Keen was attempting to come to terms with his actions. Brown stated that Keen felt genuine self-disgust and remorse, although he struggled to articulate these feelings. He described Keen as a man who believed his life was effectively over and expressed that his remorse was sincere, albeit difficult to convey.

Judge Nicolas Coleman delivered a stern judgment, condemning Keen’s conduct as persistent sexual abuse. The judge remarked that no words could adequately express the revulsion felt by decent-minded individuals upon learning of Keen’s actions. He referenced Keen’s own son, who described him as a sick, manipulative, and evil paedophile, to underscore the gravity of the case.

Keen was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison for the three rape offenses, with these sentences to be served concurrently. Additionally, he received concurrent sentences of four and five years and three months for the indecency charges, along with a three-month sentence for harassment. The court’s verdict reflects the serious nature of Keen’s crimes and the lasting impact on his victims, as well as the community’s need for justice and protection from such predatory behavior.