Gary Robson, 59 of Lowestoft, sentenced to 13 years in prison following multiple sex offences against children

A former shopkeeper has been jailed for 13 years after being found guilty of 10 offences against children including having over 1,000 indecent images.

Gary Robson, 59, of Lowestoft and formerly of Southwold, was sentenced yesterday at Ipswich Crown Court for a string of sexual offences against children from 2016 to 2022 in the Southwold and Blythburgh area.

He was charged with 10 offences including two counts of sexual touching of a girl under 13, sexual assault by penetration of a girl under 13, sexual touching of a girl under 16 and recording beneath the clothing of another person without them knowing (known as ‘upskirting’).

Robson also had a total of 1,313 indecent images of children and was charged with making 334 category A images, 349 category B images and 630 category C images.

He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual touching of a girl under 16.

DC Jessie Hodds of the Safeguarding and Investigations Unit said: “This was a highly complex and difficult case to investigate and I thank the victims and their families for their on-going support, resilience, strength and patience in bringing this case to court.

“Without their evidence, it would have been extremely hard to secure this conviction and sentence.

“The victims will never forget what happened, but I hope this sentence brings some closure to their ordeal.”

Robson was arrested on Tuesday, July 4 2023 and his victims were all girls, varying in age, over a six year period.

DI Simon Bridgland said: “This conviction does demonstrate allegations will be fully investigated and we have dedicated specially trained officers who work with the victims of sexual assault.

“Child abuse is often a hidden crime, and we work to ensure that the voice of the child is heard and concerns of abuse or neglect are reported and investigated.”