Pensioner who preyed on sleeping ten-year-old during four-year sexual abuse campaign jailed

A pensioner who sexually abused a young girl for four years has been jailed for eight years.

Michael Robb, 74, preyed on his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, at locations in northern Scotland between 1982 and 1986.

A jury at the High Court in Inverness heard earlier this year how Robb started abusing the child when she was just ten years old.

During his trial, jurors heard how Robb targeted the child when she was sleeping.

The female witness told prosecutor Anne Bennie, of how she protested during the abuse.

She said: “I can still hear my own voice going ‘stop’. ” Robb, of Alves, Moray had denied all of the charges against him. But jurors found him guilty of three charges after spending two days deliberating their verdicts.

Robb, 74, was found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour and practices, indecent assault, and rape.

Judge Simon Collins KC remanded Robb in custody and deferred sentencing on the court to obtain a background report on the sex offender.

On Wednesday, the case was called in Edinburgh, and judge Collins spoke of what Robb, a first offender, told a court-appointed social worker.

Passing sentence, judge Collins made reference to the report.

He added: “I have had sight of criminal justice social work reports. These make clear that the accused does not accept the jury’s verdict.

“Inevitably, therefore, he expresses no remorse or victim empathy, but rather accuses the complainer of fabricating her account for various malicious reasons.

“I would assess these offences as a component part of a prolonged period of serious sexual abuse, begun when the complainer was a young child and persisted in until she was a young teenager.

“Taking account of all the circumstances to which I have referred, the sentence will be one of eight years’ imprisonment.

Following proceedings earlier this year, the woman targeted by Robb spoke to the Press and Journal newspaper about her ordeal.

She said: “I left the courtroom ruminating over things I wished I’d said, but I would like to thank the jury for finding the truth in my words.

“I will never know who I could have been, who I should have been if the trajectory of my life hadn’t been so cruelly changed.

“I summoned the strength to file a report over three years ago. It has taken until now for me to have my day in court – sadly, this is a reflection of how many cases there are.

“If I can offer any strength to other survivors battling with the indecision to speak up, I have been shown nothing but kindness, support and compassion every step of the way.

“Justice was on my side today. I have been vindicated.

“I hope now I will be somewhat freer of the heaviness I have carried all my life.

“Today, I handed back the shame that was never mine to own”

In his remarks, judge Collins also made reference to the impact that Robb’s abuse had on his victim.

He added: “The complainer has provided a victim impact statement.

“In it, she speaks in particular of the significant and long-lasting impact of the accused’s actions on her. This includes panic attacks, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, feelings of rejection, difficulties with relationships, and debilitating social anxiety.

“From this, it is apparent that the harm caused to her has been substantial.”

Judge Collins also spoke of how he had taken into account a letter sent by a relative of the accused. The judge spoke of how the letter detailed help given by Robb to the letter writer and other members of his family.

Robb was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Judge Collins also imposed a lifelong non harassment order on Robb from contacting his victim.