A 61-year-old Walsall man laughed at police when confronted with allegations that he had sexually abused three teenage girls more than two decades ago, before being jailed for 26 years at Birmingham Crown Court this week.
John Robinson's offending came to light after one of his victims, now an adult, came forward to report the abuse. She told officers that the attacks took place in Walsall between 2000 and 2003, and that Robinson would give the girls alcohol before filming himself raping them.
West Midlands Police used facial identification software to identify the victims in pictures and videos that Robinson had kept for more than 20 years. Despite the evidence, Robinson denied all wrongdoing and laughed when the allegations were put to him, claiming he had been friends with the girls and did not know why they would lie.
Investigation uncovers two more victims
Following the initial report, officers from the Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) team identified two more girls during the subsequent investigation and were able to make contact with them and hear their accounts.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: "A Walsall man has been jailed for more than 25 years after being found guilty of sex offences against young girls. John Robinson, 61, abused three teenage girls while living in the Walsall area over more than 20 years, giving them alcohol and making indecent images of his offending."
The offences all took place between 2000 and 2023, when the victims were teenagers. Robinson was convicted of rape of a child, gross indecency with a child, taking indecent images and sexual activity with a child.
Facial ID technology proves key
During the investigation, officers discovered indecent images and moving footage capturing the rapes, some of which Robinson had kept for more than 20 years. The police spokesperson said: "Despite this, our officers were able to use technology including facial ID software to identify the victims."
Robinson continued to deny the offences even after being charged, telling officers he had been friends with the girls and that he did not know why they would lie about it. He was ultimately convicted by a jury and sentenced to 26 years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court this week.
Police urge victims to come forward
The police spokesperson added: "We are committed to pursuing anyone responsible for child sexual abuse. No matter how long ago the offences took place, our officers will investigate any allegations they receive and bring sex offenders to justice."
West Midlands Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of child sexual abuse to report it via 101 or Live Chat. Specialist officers in the Public Protection Unit are available to support victims, and more information about the RASSO teams across the West Midlands is available on the force's website.
