In 2026, a 58-year-old self-employed builder was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Hull Crown Court after entering eleventh-hour guilty pleas to serious sexual offences against a young girl.
Robert Miller, formerly of Walkington, near Beverley, and later residing at Riplingham Road, Cottingham, appeared before the court on Monday 19 October 2026 to receive sentence.
Prosecutor Craig Lowe outlined that Miller engaged in sexual behaviour towards the young child. The court heard the victim actively attempted to stop Miller from continuing, but he disregarded her distress and persisted with the abuse before acting as though nothing untoward had happened.
The victim later confronted Miller regarding the lasting harm he had inflicted, telling him: “What you have done will affect me for the rest of my life.” Miller offered an apology, stating he was sorry and did not know what to say.
In a powerful victim impact statement read during proceedings, the girl detailed the devastating psychological consequences she continues to endure, stating: “I am now suffering from depression and anxiety on a daily basis. He has taken a part of me away that I will never get back. The ongoing impact massively affects my day-to-day life.” The survivor added that she continues to experience persistent flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of violation.
During police interviews under caution, Miller exercised his right to make no comment to all questions put to him. He was originally scheduled to stand trial in August 2026 but entered guilty pleas on the first day of his trial to:
Sexual assault of a child
Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
Mitigating, defence barrister Oliver Shipley acknowledged that the late decision to enter guilty pleas on the trial date was an unattractive feature of the case and accepted that no explanation could justify the offending, noting it was Miller’s first time in custody.
Passing sentence, the Crown Court judge addressed the severe emotional trauma and permanent psychological damage inflicted upon the child, sentencing Miller to an immediate custodial term of nine years’ imprisonment.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court imposed a 10-year restraining order prohibiting Miller from contacting the victim and made him subject to indefinite notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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