William Roberts, a convicted sex offender, wept and informed his victim that he ‘could not control himself’ following the assault.
William Roberts frequently sexually assaulted the minor over a duration of approximately six months and stated on one occasion, “I can’t help it.” Yesterday, Monday, Liverpool Crown Court was informed that the 42-year-old’s offences were uncovered following his admission to the hospital due to apprehensions regarding his mental health and alcohol intake.
While hospitalised, Roberts, residing on Alpha Street, Bootle, Merseyside, L21, confessed his offences to his sister, stating, “I don’t know what’s real,” and expressed the belief that his victim was conspiring to murder him.
Peter Killen, prosecuting, said he confessed that he had “heard voices in his head telling him to touch” his victim over the previous eight months and admitted having done so. When police contacted the complainant, she confirmed that he had regularly touched her on the bottom and chest over her clothing.
The schoolgirl described one occasion in which she confronted him and he began crying. Roberts, who appeared via video link to HMP Altcourse, told her: “I can’t help it.”
Under interview after his arrest, he stated to officers that he had “been hearing voices in his head telling him to touch her”. The defendant added: “I can’t take it anymore.”
Roberts “denied a sexual motive”, but said that the girl was “beautiful” and “attractive”. He had also heard “voices telling him to rape her, but he wouldn’t do it”.
A statement read to the court on behalf of the victim’s mum said: “He took a happy teenager and destroyed her confidence. He broke her spirit.
“I will never recover from this, but we will slowly start to rebuild our lives. Our lives are devastated.
“We pray the court will ensure that he never has the opportunity to repeat this with another person. I really worry the abuse has left a mark on her.”
Roberts, who has no previous convictions, admitted two counts of sexual assault. Recorder Ian Harris jailed him for three years and handed him a sexual harm prevention order, a notification requirement and a restraining order.
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