David Robins, aged 25, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, July 22, for multiple breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), possession of an indecent image of a child, and two instances of non-compliance with notification requirements. These offences resulted in a prison sentence of two years and six months.
A Brief History of Prior Offences
Robins was first subjected to a SHPO in November of the previous year at Swansea Crown Court. His initial offences included the possession of a sexualised cartoon image of Lisa Simpson, a character from the popular television series The Simpsons. He was also caught attempting to engage in explicit conversations with someone he believed to be a minor. During these exchanges, Robins sent inappropriate images of himself and solicited nude images in return. However, the account he interacted with was managed by police officers, leading to his arrest.
Breaches of the SHPO and Notification Failures
Despite the seriousness of the restrictions imposed, Robins repeatedly violated his SHPO. He used electronic devices to access the internet without permission, including by utilizing incognito mode and deleting his internet history. Additionally, he managed social media accounts unapproved by his supervising officers.
His supervisors discovered an unregistered device concealed in his jacket pocket. This device contained an explicit Category B image of a child aged six to eight years old. Robins further failed to comply with notification requirements by neglecting to inform the police of his change of address.
Defence Argument
Robins’s defence barrister, Christopher Pembridge, explained that his client failed to notify authorities of his new address due to being homeless and unable to afford travel to the police station. Pembridge admitted, “He accepts there’s no excuse for these offences. He has, in fairness, accepted responsibility at the first opportunity.”
The defence further argued that Robins’s mental maturity did not align with his chronological age. Diagnosed with global developmental delay and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Robins had experienced a troubled childhood and young adulthood. While in prison at HMP Bullingdon near Bicester, Robins had taken some courses and expressed interest in enrolling in a business course, though opportunities were limited due to his incarceration.
Judge’s Remarks and Final Sentencing
Reports from the probation service indicated significant challenges in safely managing Robins within society. Judge Maria Lamb addressed the court, acknowledging mitigating factors such as Robins’s level of maturity, but emphasizing that his background and condition did not excuse his criminal actions.
Consequently, Judge Lamb sentenced Robins to two years and six months in prison. Robins, formerly of East Hanney but now listed as having no fixed address, will serve his sentence in accordance with the court’s decision.
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