Chelmsley Wood man who sexually abused children in 1980s and 90s is jailed

A man from Solihull has been jailed for 23 years and made to sign the sex offender’s register for life for sexually abusing children more than 30 years ago.

Two women and two men were aged between eight and 17 when they were routinely sexually assaulted and raped by Derek Robinson from the mid-1980s into the 90s.

Most of the offences took place at an address in Chelmsley Wood where Robinson lived at the time, but one woman – now aged 41 – told how he raped her multiple times a day during a weekend trip.

She also witnessed Robinson – who was in his 20s at the time – committing sexual acts against the boys over a period spanning many years.

Robinson, 63, was convicted on 23 November of multiple sex offences against the four victims who were all known to him.

He had denied all counts claiming the four had conspired to concoct false stories against him – but a jury dismissed that defence and found him guilty on a total of five counts of rape, seven indecent assaults, two counts of indecency with a child and two of buggery.

The jury failed to reach a decision on four charges of indecent assault.

He was jailed today (7 January) for 23 years and made to sign the sex offender’s register for life. He will also be bound by a two-year licence period upon his release.

What did police say about the case?

West Midlands police praised the bravery and conviction of those who disclosed the torment they went through and supported the prosecution.

Detective Constable Becci Jones, said: “All four survivors deserve huge credit: this was not easy for them. They handled themselves with great dignity and were compelling witnesses.

“Robinson suggested they were all fabricating their accounts – but they were very plausible, with lots of consistency across their accounts of what happened – and it is beyond the bounds of reason they could hatch such similar stories as part of a detailed conspiracy to convict Robinson.

“They described trying to put the abuse to the back of their minds as their way of handling the psychological effect of Robinson’s abuse. They kept the awful experiences to themselves but we helped them disclose what happened, at their pace when they were ready to talk.

“At the time Robinson convinced them what was happening was normal. It was important to show that what happened wasn’t right, it was shocking abuse and that it’s important for the offender to face justice for what he’d put them through.”

One mother confronted Robinson in 1993 after she found a letter written by her daughter, intended for Robinson, in which she implored him to stop the sexual touching.

However, the offences were first raised with police in January 2019 after another woman revealed to a manager she’d been abused and witnessed others suffering at Robinson’s hands.

During the course of enquiries the force spoke to other children he’d come into contact with Robinson and none have disclosed any offences.

In a statement, West Midlands police said: “It’s never too late to come forward and report sexual or physical abuse. We have a track record of securing justice against people who committed offences decades earlier.

“Call us on 101 to speak to someone in our Public Protection Unit or for more advice visit our website.

“If you would prefer not to speak to a police officer, you can go to one of the region’s Horizon SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) https://horizonsarc.org.uk/ You can also call them on 0800 970 0375.”

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