A man from Jersey, Vincent Charles Roberts, discovered employed at a Newport convenience store prior to his arrest by local police, has received a sentence of five and a half years in prison after being convicted of eight sexual offences on his home island.
Vincent Charles Roberts, aged 57, was convicted in February on eight charges of engaging in unlawful acts with an individual afflicted by a mental condition.
Vincent Charles Roberts, employed as a healthcare worker at a mental facility on the island of Jersey, commenced text messaging a female patient in June 2020. He promptly transitioned to Snapchat to communicate with the woman, aware that messages would vanish. As time progressed, the conversations became increasingly improper, culminating in the 57-year-old physically kissing the mentally ill patient on multiple occasions.
Later on, in 2020, Roberts began more communications with a 2nd female patient through TikTok, before again moving the conversation to Snapchat. Over the following weeks and months Roberts then engaged in sexual activity with this female.
The offences were initially disclosed to a member of staff, who raised a Safeguarding Adult Alert to the Adult Safeguarding Team. Vincent Charles Roberts was then arrested in January 2021.
Throughout the investigation Roberts refused to engage with the process and left Jersey, fleeing to the Isle of Wight. Hampshire Constabulary located him in August 2022 before being arrested and handed over to States of Jersey Police officers in Southampton, who took him back to Jersey where he appeared in court the next day.
Vincent Charles Roberts was working as the store manager at Central’s convenience store on Hunnyhill in Newport.
Detective Constable Carla Garnier said:
“This was a long and complex investigation into how Vincent Charles Roberts abused his position of trust with vulnerable people for his own gratification. He tried evading justice by leaving the Island, and I am thankful that he was apprehended, brought back to Jersey, and found guilty.”
“Vincent Charles Roberts’ actions have had a hugely negative impact on both victims in this case. They have both been and continue to be supported by Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (IDSVAs) and Adult Mental Health.
“We are committed to investigating and prosecuting all sexual offenders and want to assure victims that there are a number of agencies who are in a position to offer support and guidance through all stages of the criminal justice process.”
In addition to the jail sentence, Roberts was placed on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years and handed a restraining order for an indeterminate amount of time.
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