North Wales man admits trying to abduct girl, 5
by nelly136 7 Replies latest watchtower scandals
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nelly136
AN ex-teacher and playground designer has finally admitted trying to abduct a five-year-old girl – after denying it at two previous trials.
Robert Edward Bill, 56, must stay on the sex offenders register for life after he told a court he was no longer in denial and now accepted he had a "problem" in his interest in young girls.
Bill, of St Asaph, was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday after he also admitted breaching his Sex Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) by viewing internet images of children while on bail.
In June 2007, Bill, of The Roe, "cruised" around the Strand estate in Holywell and tried to entice a five-year-old girl into his car. But by chance her father spotted the incident through a window.
At his trial in June 2008, the jury failed to reach a verdict, but Bill was convicted at a re-trial in March 2009. He was also found guilty of downloading child porn on his computer and indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl.
Bill, a member of a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, appealed against his conviction, and the Court of Appeal ordered a second retrial on the attempted abduction charge.
That was due to take place this week in Warrington – outside North Wales because of the publicity over the previous hearings – but at the last minute he changed his plea to guilty. He also admitted breaching the SOPO in August.
Simon Medland, prosecuting, said that members of Bill’s family became suspicious and when they confronted him he admitted viewing videos of children on YouTube. Though they were not pornographic, it breached the order.
Bill, who at one time ran his own playground design company, then rang the police and told them: "I am sorry, I am so sorry. I’ve done something silly."
He told them he had watched videos of children aged nine - 11, adding: "I have got a problem."
Bill, who was released from prison in January this year, wiped tears from his eyes as defence barrister David Potter told the court he
deserved some credit for his change of plea, albeit at such a late stage."The sea-change in his manner and behaviour since August 10 has been revelatory," he said. "He is now crushed about acknowledging that he has a problem.
"He has been in denial virtually the whole of his adult life and now accepts he has a problem."
At Warrington Crown Court yesterday the Recorder of Chester, Judge Elgan Edwards, said that although Bill had served most of an earlier six-year sentence in prison, only a custodial sentence was appropriate now.
He was jailed for two years for the attempted abduction, and six months for breaching the SOPO.
Jailing him, the Recorder said it was particularly worrying that he had breached his SOPO while on bail and knowing that he was due to face a trial.
He said a letter written to him by Bill made "sad reading". The Recorder said it was a difficult sentencing exercise because Bill had already served much of his original six-year sentence. "The public may have some consolation that when you are released you will be monitored by North Wales
Police officers who will help you, and more importantly the children of North Wales will be protected," he added.
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fokyc
"Bill, a member of a Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation, appealed against his conviction, and the Court of Appeal ordered a second retrial on the attempted abduction charge."
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nelly136
previous report from 2009,
march 12th 2009
A 54-YEAR-OLD former teacher, businessman and senior Jehovah’s Witness with "a perverted fascination for young children" was yesterday jailed for six years.
Robert Edward Bill, of The Roe, St Asaph, had been found guilty after separate trials of the attempted abduction of a girl of five at Holywell two years ago, indecently assaulting a seven-year-old girl 10 years ago, and of possessing 730 pornographic images of children.
He was told by Judge Philip Hughes at Caernarfon Crown Court: "The nature of your offending demonstrates you have an unhealthy sexual and predatory interest in young children which despite your convictions you continue to deny."
Prosecuting, Simon Medland said the five-year-old girl was going home from a playground when Bill, "for malign purposes," drew up in his car and asked: "Have you seen a cat?"
By chance the girl’s uncle arrived at that moment and her horror-stricken mother, who had been watching from a window, ran down to her.
Mr Medland said Bill had claimed he was trying to fix a problem with his car. A police inquiry revealed that the car had also been driven in an odd manner at Flint that day, stopping when children came into view.
Mr Medland stated that when Bill had a playground equipment company he had been warned off a Towyn holiday park by police after officials there became concerned about his conduct with children.
The barrister said the indecent assault occurred at St Asaph. Although the girl had recalled seeing a camera there was no evidence it had been used.
David Potter, defending, pointed out that the offences did not involve touching, grabbing or coercion.
He said Bill had hoped to return to teaching, but this would now be impossible. He accepted the need for his behaviour to be monitored in future and that his actions had brought fear and suspicion for his family and church.
Judge Hughes imposed a four-year sentence for attempted abduction, one-and-a-half years for indecent assault and six months for possessing the pornographic images, most of which, he said, were of the lowest category.
As he left the dock to begin his sentence Bill embraced his son and kissed his wife’s head as they sat awaiting sentence.
His wife Jacqueline, 51, received a suspended six months jail sentence after she admitted trying to pervert the course of justice by destroying a laptop hard drive, and must do 250 hours unpaid work. Son David, 24, of Mount Road, St Asaph, must do 150 hours unpaid work after also admitting that he tried to pervert the course of justice.
Judge Hughes told them: "I recognise that you were both in a misguided way trying to protect a husband and father."
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quietlyleaving
wow.
I remember this story when it first came out. He was so convincing in his denial and now he has confessed. I hope they put him on loads of medication so he becomes almost comatose - imo this is one of the few ways of preventing a degree of reoffence. Also I'm so very glad his family spoke up.
ANother good thing is that when the police say they will keep an eye on an indvidual it also forces the elders to be extra vigilant.
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nelly136
http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/child-abuse/172704/1/U-K-JW-Pedophile-Sentenced
previous thread started by rabbit
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Hairyhegoat
So here we have it ... another Paedo.. What I also find suprising is that his wife & son tried to protect him ! I trust they were JW too.. Doing the usual and brushing stuff under the carpet to keep up their christian pretenses...
His wife Jacqueline, 51, received a suspended six months jail sentence after she admitted trying to pervert the course of justice by destroying a laptop hard drive, and must do 250 hours unpaid work. Son David, 24, of Mount Road, St Asaph, must do 150 hours unpaid work after also admitting that he tried to pervert the course of justice.