Geoffrey Robinson

Geoffrey Robinson, a 59-year-old man from Thornhill, Scotland, has been imprisoned for five years and four months following his admission of guilt to seven counts of indecent assault and one count of making a threat to kill. The offences, which occurred in the early 1990s, involved the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, whom Robinson subjected to repeated assaults.

Bradford Crown Court heard that the abuse came to light in 2017 when the victim, now an adult woman protected by anonymity, mustered the courage to report the incidents to authorities. In a poignant statement read aloud during the proceedings, the victim described how Robinson's actions had turned her childhood into 'hell', profoundly impacting her life and necessitating ongoing counselling and therapy.

The court was told that when the teenage victim confronted Robinson about the abuse, he responded by holding a knife to her throat and threatening to kill her if she ever told anyone. Judge Robert Bartfield, in sentencing, emphasised the gravity of this threat, stating: 'To [hold a knife] to a child of 15 is in itself an extremely serious matter.' He commended the victim's bravery for enduring the trial and providing evidence in court.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Robinson was issued an indefinite restraining order prohibiting any future contact with the complainant. He is also required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The case was heard at Bradford Crown Court, with details reported by BBC News based on court proceedings and statements from HM Courts Service.