ROBERT PROUT FROM BURY ST EDMUNDS SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS COMMITTED NEARLY 40 YEARS AGO
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Bury St Edmunds Child Sexual Abuser
In June 2006, Robert Prout, a man from Bury St Edmunds, was sentenced to a mere 10 months in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual assaults that occurred nearly four decades earlier. The case drew significant attention due to the disparity between the severity of the crimes and the relatively short sentence handed down by the court.
Prout, who is now 54 years old and resides at Rozel Court in Beck Row, appeared in the dock at Reading Crown Court to hear his sentence. During the proceedings, he collapsed and required medical attention from paramedics before being taken away to serve his time in custody. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Mary-Jane Mowat, made headlines herself, as she has been publicly recognized by the Lord Chancellor for her past decisions where her sentences were overturned by the Court of Appeal for being too lenient.
Despite having the authority to impose a sentence of up to five years, Judge Mowat chose not to do so. She considered alternative options such as a suspended sentence or community service but ultimately rejected these, citing her own previous record and the nature of the case. The decision was met with criticism from the victim’s friend, who expressed outrage at the light punishment. The friend stated, “Her whole life has been ruined. Prout started assaulting her when she was only 11 years old and because of it she has had all sorts of problems in her life. He’s got away with this his whole life and now he will only be behind bars a few months and he’ll be able to carry on with his life.”
During the trial last month, the jury heard disturbing details about the abuse inflicted by Prout. It was revealed that he began inappropriately touching his young victim and simulating sexual acts when she was just 11 years old. Most of the abuse took place in 1970, when she was 12 or 13, with the final assault occurring when she was 16. At the time of the offenses, Prout was in his late teens. The court also learned that he had a history of similar convictions dating back to the 1960s, including indecent assault and indecent exposure with intent to commit indecent assault.
Prout’s defense attorney, Mr. Christopher Wing, argued that if his client had been prosecuted at the time of the offenses, he would have faced a maximum sentence of only two years. He emphasized that there have been no similar offenses since and highlighted Prout’s current family situation, including his eight grandchildren, six of whom are female. The defense also pointed out that Prout has been a loving father and grandfather, and that he has maintained a blameless life for the past 30 years. They noted his extensive contact with juvenile females since the crimes, with no issues arising, and stated that no other victims had come forward to accuse him.
Judge Mowat acknowledged the complexity of sentencing in this case, referencing her past attempts to impose suspended sentences that were overturned on appeal. She described the case as extraordinarily difficult to judge. She explained that while some might consider it outrageous to imprison someone for offenses committed when they were 18, others would find it equally outrageous to ignore the gravity of the crimes. Ultimately, she decided that an immediate custodial sentence was necessary, citing the current understanding of the devastating effects of child abuse. The judge emphasized that the harm caused by such abuse is now well understood and can destroy lives, reinforcing the importance of appropriate punishment in cases like this.
Prout, who is now 54 years old and resides at Rozel Court in Beck Row, appeared in the dock at Reading Crown Court to hear his sentence. During the proceedings, he collapsed and required medical attention from paramedics before being taken away to serve his time in custody. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Mary-Jane Mowat, made headlines herself, as she has been publicly recognized by the Lord Chancellor for her past decisions where her sentences were overturned by the Court of Appeal for being too lenient.
Despite having the authority to impose a sentence of up to five years, Judge Mowat chose not to do so. She considered alternative options such as a suspended sentence or community service but ultimately rejected these, citing her own previous record and the nature of the case. The decision was met with criticism from the victim’s friend, who expressed outrage at the light punishment. The friend stated, “Her whole life has been ruined. Prout started assaulting her when she was only 11 years old and because of it she has had all sorts of problems in her life. He’s got away with this his whole life and now he will only be behind bars a few months and he’ll be able to carry on with his life.”
During the trial last month, the jury heard disturbing details about the abuse inflicted by Prout. It was revealed that he began inappropriately touching his young victim and simulating sexual acts when she was just 11 years old. Most of the abuse took place in 1970, when she was 12 or 13, with the final assault occurring when she was 16. At the time of the offenses, Prout was in his late teens. The court also learned that he had a history of similar convictions dating back to the 1960s, including indecent assault and indecent exposure with intent to commit indecent assault.
Prout’s defense attorney, Mr. Christopher Wing, argued that if his client had been prosecuted at the time of the offenses, he would have faced a maximum sentence of only two years. He emphasized that there have been no similar offenses since and highlighted Prout’s current family situation, including his eight grandchildren, six of whom are female. The defense also pointed out that Prout has been a loving father and grandfather, and that he has maintained a blameless life for the past 30 years. They noted his extensive contact with juvenile females since the crimes, with no issues arising, and stated that no other victims had come forward to accuse him.
Judge Mowat acknowledged the complexity of sentencing in this case, referencing her past attempts to impose suspended sentences that were overturned on appeal. She described the case as extraordinarily difficult to judge. She explained that while some might consider it outrageous to imprison someone for offenses committed when they were 18, others would find it equally outrageous to ignore the gravity of the crimes. Ultimately, she decided that an immediate custodial sentence was necessary, citing the current understanding of the devastating effects of child abuse. The judge emphasized that the harm caused by such abuse is now well understood and can destroy lives, reinforcing the importance of appropriate punishment in cases like this.