ROBI STURGES SENTENCED IN READING FOR TARGETING VULNERABLE SCHOOLGIRL

In July 2017, Robi Sturges, of Bath Road, Reading, was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to grooming a vulnerable 14-year-old girl and breaching his sexual offences prevention order (SOPPO). The court heard that Sturges, 27, met the girl on an online suicide chat room and later exchanged graphic and sexually explicit messages with her via Skype.

Sturges acknowledged to the court that he was significantly older than the girl and disclosed that he was not permitted to contact young girls, having previously been sentenced in 2014 for exposing himself to teenage girls.

The court was told that after exchanging sexual messages from Boxing Day until New Year’s, Sturges agreed to meet the girl for a day trip to London. However, when the girl was reported missing, he panicked and was eventually arrested for breaching his order.

During the hearing, the victim described the impact of the incident, saying, “This incident has stripped away the little confidence I had left. I find it difficult to sleep at night and trust people. I am afraid that Robi will harm me and I am afraid to leave my house. It has not ruined my life, but it has continually dropped my confidence.”

At this moment, Sturges reacted by punching himself in the face. Psychologist Dr. Simon Enwright, who had been providing therapy for Sturges over several months prior to the offenses, explained that his actions were rooted in an emotionally unstable personality disorder, which was linked to childhood issues.

Sturges, whose address is listed as Bath Road, Reading, pleaded guilty to meeting a child following grooming and breaching his SOPPO, resulting in his two-year imprisonment.