ROBERT LAMBIE FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET AND DARLINGTON JAILED FOR MONSTROUS SEXUAL OFFENCES

In September 2016, Robert Lambie, a man with a long history of abusing young boys, was sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences committed against a teenage boy. Lambie, who has connections to Chester-Le-Street and Darlington, was convicted of molesting and corrupting the young victim, whom he had initially befriended under the guise of offering advice and mentorship.

The court heard that Lambie, now aged 79, had a disturbing pattern of exploiting trust and affection. During the 1990s, while living in Darlington, he secretly bought Christmas presents for the boy he was abusing, further cementing a manipulative relationship. The victim, who was present in court to witness Lambie’s conviction, described the ordeal as a violation that shattered his sense of security and altered his sexual preferences to suit Lambie’s predatory desires. The victim’s words reflected the deep emotional scars left by Lambie’s actions, emphasizing the profound impact of the abuse.

Although Lambie denied eight charges of indecent assault, the jury took only 80 minutes to deliberate and find him guilty on all counts. He was acquitted of two more serious sexual charges. Judge Sean Morris, presiding over the case at Teesside Crown Court, delivered a stern warning to Lambie, stating, “Had you been the Christian you professed to be before this jury, you would have admitted these offences.”

It was revealed that Lambie had previously served a six-year sentence in 2014 for grooming and fondling two schoolboys in Darlington during the 1980s. During that period, he used his position as a church choirmaster and music teacher to gain the trust of his victims. The court heard how Lambie would treat the boys to days out and make them feel special, gradually persuading them to allow him to photograph them in their underwear. His reputation within the church and community was high, but behind closed doors, he led a double life, hiding his true intentions from those around him.

Following the 2014 conviction, another victim came forward, revealing that Lambie had groomed him before subjecting him to abuse. This victim also disclosed that Lambie had shown him cross-dressing photos and films, adding a disturbing layer to his pattern of manipulation. During the recent trial, Lambie, who also served as a clerk to the chapter at Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire, insisted that he was “entirely heterosexual” and claimed that his previous actions in the 1980s were merely “overstepping the boundaries of friendship,” asserting that he had not engaged in similar conduct a decade later.

The jury, composed of seven women and five men, quickly saw through Lambie’s attempts to deny responsibility. The judge later described the evidence as “the most overwhelming” he had seen, emphasizing the severity of Lambie’s crimes. He condemned Lambie’s actions as a “monstrous catalogue of offending” that left his victim, now an adult, struggling to cope with life and his feelings. The court’s decision underscores the importance of justice for victims of such predatory behavior, especially when the offender held a position of trust and respect within the community.

In a related case from August 2014, Lambie, then 77, was sentenced to six years for abusing two boys in Darlington during the 1980s. His manipulation involved lavishing gifts and days out on his victims, gradually gaining their trust before exploiting it. Lambie’s reputation as a respected church figure was a facade that concealed his darker activities. One of the victims, who later decided to report Lambie, explained that he had kept his ordeal private until he saw Lambie advertising music lessons, which prompted him to come forward.

During the recent proceedings, Lambie admitted to four charges of sexual assault, which his legal team argued spared the victims from reliving their trauma in court. The judge commended the bravery of the victims who had spoken out, noting that without their courage, Lambie’s predatory behavior might have gone unpunished. Lambie was also ordered to be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, banned from working with children, and prohibited from having unsupervised contact with anyone under 16.

The court was informed that Lambie was residing in the Thirsk area of North Yorkshire at the time of his arrest. Following police investigations, Lambie attempted to delete incriminating images from his computer using file deletion software, indicating an awareness of the severity of his actions. His legal representative expressed remorse, stating that Lambie had taken full responsibility and apologized to his victims and family. The judge highlighted the numerous references from family, friends, church associates, and parents that painted a picture of a man who had dedicated much of his life to public service, yet had used his trusted position to manipulate and abuse vulnerable boys.