In the case of convicted sex predator Joshua Robinson, the public prosecutor has decided not to appeal against the 39-year-old’s four-year jail sentence. It was noted that the punishment dealt out against him was broadly in line with that of relevant past cases.
To recap, the American MMA instructor had sex with two 15-year-old girls and filmed the acts; he pleaded guilty to nine charges, including making obscene films, having underage sex and showing an obscene video to a six-year-old girl. The news of Robinson’s sentence started an online petition for a more severe punishment, and it has since gained over 27,000 signatures. Numerous members of the public called for him to receive the punishment of caning, but the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) said that the offences he was charged with did not allow the court to do so.
The AGC also stated that the prosecution considered the fact that Robinson’s guilty plea meant the three young victims did not have to go through the trauma of testifying and being cross-examined at trial. It pointed out that Robinson ‘did not commit sexual assault’ — as both victims were above the age of 14 and consensual in the sexual acts, Robinson did not commit the offence of statutory rape.
The most serious offence Robinson committed was sexual penetration of a minor under 16 years old, and that did not provide for caning, the AGC said.
“Following careful review of the matter, the public prosecutor has decided not to appeal against the sentence,” the AGC stated. “The AGC will be discussing with the Ministry of Law whether the relevant legislation should be reviewed to enhance sentencing for some of the offences.’
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