ROBERT SKERMAN SENTENCED FOR 16 YEARS AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD SEX CRIMES IN WISBECH AND YEOVIL
In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Wisbech and Yeovil, Robert Skerman, aged 38, has been sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison for heinous crimes involving a young girl.The offences, which took place in Yeovil, involved the sexual assault of a defenseless five-year-old girl, as well as instructing her to perform sexual acts on him.
The gravity of the crimes was laid bare during the trial at Taunton Crown Court, where harrowing video evidence from the victim’s initial police interview was played in court, revealing the horrifying details of Skerman’s actions.
According to the victim’s testimony, Skerman, who resided on Redway Drive in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, coerced the young girl into touching him and explicitly told her to engage in “naughty things.” The court heard that the young girl was subjected to a series of sexual abuses, which Skerman was found guilty of committing.
On Thursday, July 27, the jury convicted him on multiple counts, including one charge of raping a girl under the age of 13, two counts of causing a girl under 13 to participate in sexual activity, and two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13.
The crimes were committed in Yeovil, a town in Somerset, and the case has garnered significant attention due to the severity of the allegations and the innocence of the victim.
In addition to these convictions, Skerman admitted to possessing three counts of child sexual abuse images.
Police had seized a laptop and USB drive from his residence during his arrest, which contained indecent images of children.
Prosecutor Jenny Talentine highlighted during the trial that both devices contained material classified as child pornography, emphasizing Skerman’s clear sexual interest in children.
She stated, “The defendant has pleaded guilty to having these images, and so the jury will not have to see them.” In sentencing, the court imposed a 16-year prison term for the sexual offences, along with an additional four-year suspended sentence.
Furthermore, Skerman was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to protect the community and monitor his activities moving forward.
The case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals like Skerman, whose actions have left a lasting scar on the young victim and the wider community.
