An 81-year-old former Royal Marine has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for a string of historic sex offences against three young girls.


Colin Robson, described by judge Peter Crabtree as showing “a complete lack of remorse” was handed down the lengthy prison term at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday afternoon.

Robson, of Maple Lodge, Douglas Close, Poole, was sentenced on seven counts of indecent assault and attempted rape spanning 1966-1989.

All but one of these sexual assaults took place in the Poole area, with the youngest of his three child victims being first abused aged six.

The other two female victims were around 12-years-old and 13 when they were targeted by Robson
A victim impact statement, from one of his three victims, was read out at court before sentencing.

It read: “You robbed me of my innocence, you made me feel guilty and ashamed of myself for not having the courage to tell someone sooner.
“Now I am an adult I’m really saddened that you are not really sorry.
“I am now so confused emotionally, because I look at you as an old man.”

The court also heard that there was no suggestion Robson, who served for ten years in the Royal Marines, ever carried out any later sexual assaults.

Mitigating, Robert Grey said: “All of the offences were committed a long time ago.
“There has been a lot of water under the bridge since the last offending.”

Robson, who worked at the Metal Box factory in Hamworthy after leaving the marines, had completed 53 marathons and half marathons in his time, raising £38,000 for charities including the Poole Hospital Charity and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

Mr Grey also said that he personally read out the victim statement to Robson while on remand prior to Friday’s sentencing hearing, and that: “He was saddened by what he read.”

Sentencing him to 11 years and three months in prison, and ordering his to sign the sex offenders register for the rest of his life, Judge Crabtree said Robson’s “extremely serious sexual offences” represented “a grave breach of trust” which had an “enduring psychological impact” on his victims.