Locations
Dunnerdale Road, Liverpool, L11
Description
A twisted paedophile lured one of his victims to a fake party at a high-rise flat and then raped her.
Peter Robinson targeted another girl after tricking her into his car and driving her to a secluded spot where he only broke off his attacks so he could have a cigarette.
He helped to cover up his horrific crimes by telling his vulnerable schoolgirl victims that, should they speak out, he would get social services to make their lives a misery.
Robinson appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for one count of indecent assault, eight counts of rape and three counts of the rape of a child under the age of 13.
The 56-year-old, a dad himself, had been convicted of the offences following a trial that concluded earlier this week.
Today, prosecutor Charlotte Kenny outlined how Robinson exploited vulnerable young girls during a sustained period of offending.
As well as raping his victims he also played on their fears and insecurity, securing their silence with threats, humiliating them and preying on their anxiety with degrading comments.
He told one of the girls that "nobody liked her" in what Ms Kenny suggested was a bid to socially isolate her.
The barrister read out powerful impact statements on behalf of each of his victims, now adults, who described suffering flashbacks and nightmares as a result of his crimes.
On behalf of one of the women, Ms Kenny said: "Sometimes the flashbacks are so horrendous she is physically sick... Peter Robinson will never realise just how much what he did has impacted on my whole life. I feel lost and scared due to what he put me through."
Another explained: "In the end, Peter Robinson left me feeling like a piece of meat. I felt powerless and angry."
His other victim detailed in her statement: "The horrible memories will never leave me."
Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, said his client had no previous convictions and that his family is "devastated" by the convictions.
He added: "He is aware that the inevitable custodial sentence will be a long one."
Judge Denis Watson, QC, described how Robinson deceived his victims on multiple occasions and, of his claims he would involve social services in their lives should they speak out, he said: "This was a calculated, cruel and very effective threat."
Judge Watson added that the offences "leave me in no doubt there is severe psychological harm here... they all experienced long term psychological harm as a result of the offending".
Robinson, of Dunnerdale Road in Norris Green, was sentenced to a total of 23 years in jail. He will have to serve half of that sentence before he can apply for release.
His convictions for the rape of a child under the age of 13 mean that, legally, he is considered an offender of special concern.
As a result, when he is released from jail he will serve an extended period on licence made up of whatever remains of the 23 year sentence plus an extra 12 months.
Robinson was all made the subject of indefinite restraining orders against each of his victims and of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
After delivering his sentence Judge Watson thanked those in the public gallery for the dignity they had displayed during the hearing.