ROBIN YOUNG FROM BODICOTE SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN BANBURY

In August 2023, a man named Robin Young, aged 40 and residing in Bodicote, was sentenced to a significant prison term following his conviction for the sexual abuse of a young girl in Banbury. The court heard harrowing details of Young’s misconduct, which spanned several years and involved the victim when she was still a primary school-aged child.

Young’s heinous actions included repeatedly molesting the young girl, even in the presence of her infant brother. During the trial, a probation officer’s report revealed that the nature of the abuse had become so normalized in Young’s mind that he believed his actions were acceptable. The court was informed that Young, a former accountant turned website operator, had been involved in running a site that sold gym equipment and hosted what was described as 'clickbait'-style articles. Despite the gravity of his crimes, Young continues to deny any wrongdoing.

Judge Recorder John Ryder KC, referencing a pre-sentence report prepared by a member of the probation service, expressed his concerns about Young’s lack of remorse or insight. The judge stated, “It is plain from all that he says that you have shown absolutely no insight into the effect that your conduct has had upon the victim. Indeed, you consider yourself to have been victimized by the current proceedings.” The report further noted that Young appeared to be indifferent to the harm caused, with the judge quoting the report: “I do not know whether Mr Young understood the harm he was causing the victim or whether he did not care about the harm he was causing her. I think, more likely than not, that Mr Young simply did not care.”

In addition to the 14-year prison sentence, Young was ordered to serve an extra year under supervision on license, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge highlighted how Young exploited his perceived respectability and responsibility to gain the trust of the victim’s mother, which facilitated the abuse. The court’s decision was based on the conviction of six counts related to the sexual abuse, including charges of rape, which Young was found guilty of in February.

It was also revealed that Young had previously confided in his then-partner about his attraction to young girls. This disclosure came after she discovered his Google searches for disturbing images of children in the mid-2010s. During the trial, the judge summarized Young’s own words: “You said you couldn’t help it and there was no help for people who felt like that.”

Furthermore, Young’s opposition to therapy was noted. When his then-partner found an organization specializing in treatment for individuals with deviant interests in minors, he objected to attending, criticizing the organization’s use of the term ‘non-offending paedophiles.’ The judge did not hold back in condemning Young’s dishonesty, stating, “You denied the offences to the police despite your admissions to your partner. You persisted in your denials throughout the trial. As a result, the victim had to relive the experiences publicly years after the event. You persist in your denials to this day.”

Young, who has no prior criminal record, was ordered to comply with a sexual harm prevention order and to remain on the sex offender register for life. His case underscores the devastating impact of his actions on the young victim and highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing such serious offenses.