ROBERT WOOD FROM MARYPORT SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CARLISLE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local community, Robert Lee Wood, a 31-year-old man from Victoria Crescent, Maryport, has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being convicted of multiple child sex offences. The sentencing took place at Carlisle Crown Court, where the court heard disturbing details about the abuse inflicted upon a vulnerable young victim.

Wood pleaded guilty to two counts of child rape and a total of 15 other sexual offences involving a child. These offences included numerous sexual assaults, as well as inciting the young victim to engage in sexual activity. The court was informed that the nature of the abuse was particularly heinous, with some of the acts being recorded through photographs and videos. The details of the abuse are too distressing to be fully disclosed, but it was revealed that Wood had captured some of the acts on his mobile phone, which played a crucial role in his conviction.

Prosecutor Tim Evans explained that the victim’s ordeal came to light after police arrested Wood in July of the previous year on unrelated charges. During a search of his mobile device, officers discovered a series of sickening images and videos depicting the abuse. Among these was a video showing Wood raping the child. The police were able to identify Wood partly because of a distinctive tattoo visible in the footage, which matched his physical appearance.

Following the discovery, the victim’s mother was informed of the abuse. She immediately took her child to the Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Centre in Penrith for support and to report the incident. During questioning, the young victim was overwhelmed with emotion and began crying uncontrollably when shown the images on Wood’s phone. The child later wrote down Wood’s name, providing crucial evidence for the case.

Further disturbing details emerged when Wood was found to have written a letter from prison to someone he knew. Prosecutor Evans highlighted that the letter revealed a troubling lack of remorse and understanding of the gravity of his actions. Instead of expressing remorse, Wood appeared more concerned about his own situation, showing little empathy for his victim. The letter betrayed a disturbing attitude, indicating that Wood did not grasp the full extent of the harm he had caused.

Judge James Adkin delivered the sentence, condemning Wood for using the child as a sexual object for his own gratification. The judge emphasized that Wood failed to comprehend the immense damage inflicted upon his victim, which posed a significant risk to others. He described Wood as a dangerous offender and highlighted the importance of protecting the community from such individuals.

As part of his sentence, Wood will serve at least two-thirds of his 14-year term before being eligible for parole, contingent upon the Parole Board’s assessment of his risk to the public. Additionally, he will be subject to a five-year extended licence period following his release. Wood will also be registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.