The offending occurred over about six months, beginning with his touching her before escalating to rape.
The 68-year-old was later found guilty by a jury of representative charges of sexual violation by rape, unlawful sexual connection and sexual conduct with a child, and last week was sentenced in the Whanganui District Court to 13 years’ imprisonment.
‘The worst in the eyes of God’
At the hearing, the girl’s parents and grandmother faced Robinson to describe the damage he had caused.
They spoke of a child left anxious and fearful, struggling to sleep and afraid to be alone, her sense of safety shattered.
Her family detailed the heartbreak of watching her innocence eroded, with one saying no child should have to carry such trauma, and another telling Robinson he was supposed to protect children, not harm them.
“You hurt my daughter; I’ll never forgive you,” her father said.
“I’ll never forget what you’ve done and neither will my family. You deserve what you get, not only in sentence but in life.”
Peter Robinson was sentenced in Whanganui District Court. Photo / Bevan Conley
Her mother told Robinson his “soul is never going to rest”, saying what he had done was “the worst in the eyes of God”, while the girl’s grandmother spoke of her anger and grief.
She said no child should have to endure that kind of trauma, but believed with love and support the girl would one day regain the safety and happiness every child deserved.
At the hearing, Judge Justin Marinovich described the girl, who gave evidence at the trial, as remarkable and articulate.
He said Robinson had used a caring persona as a front to gain confidence with the girl and her parents.
The abuse was uncovered after her father discovered Robinson’s 2002 conviction for indecent assault of a child and cut ties with him, at which point she disclosed what had been happening.
The judge said Robinson had spoken with “relative ease” at trial when he tried to convince the jury he had done nothing wrong.
He accepted there was evidence from a urologist about erectile dysfunction and the size of Robinson’s anatomy, but said it did not prevent the offending.
‘A hint of victim blaming’
Crown prosecutor Amber Kearny said the impact of the offending was significant.
She submitted that the victim was extremely vulnerable and Robinson groomed her over a considerable period, exploiting the family’s trust.
The scale of the offending was also significant, Kearny said, suggesting a starting point of 16 years imprisonment was appropriate.
However, defence lawyer Lucy Postlewaight submitted it should be in the region of 10 to 11 years.
Focusing on Robinson’s personal circumstances, she said he had lost his business, his home, and some personal relationships “as a result of the case”.
“So in effect, that is a punishment on him, as a result of his involvement in this case,” Postlewaight submitted.
“Well, no, as a result of his offending,” Judge Marinovich interjected.
“I accept that, sir, the result of his offending. And he acknowledges that. Nevertheless, it is what it is,” Postlewaight replied.
She also pointed to Robinson’s age and chronic health issues as mitigating factors, and said he had expressed remorse in a letter to the court and a pre-sentence report writer.
However, Robinson’s remorse came after he unsuccessfully defended the charges at trial, and as he continued to deny the more serious offending.
“It’s probably just not a guilt-ridden package with all the bells and whistles to make it more genuine than it is,” Postlewaight submitted.
“It is the guilt of a man who’s been convicted by a jury and has to accept, at least in respect of the rape charge, that that’s the way in which the court is going to proceed to sentence him.”
Judge Marinovich rejected that Robinson had shown genuine remorse, saying any expressions of regret were for the predicament he found himself in rather than the harm caused.
He identified what he described as “a hint of victim blaming”, noting Robinson had suggested the girl had not told him to stop.
The judge found the offending involved significant harm, a breach of trust, the victim’s vulnerability, premeditation and a prolonged period of abuse, all to a moderate to high degree.
He took a starting point of 14 years’ imprisonment, and declined to apply any uplift for Robinson’s 2002 conviction, saying any increase would be largely nominal given the length of the sentence.
While he refused any reduction for remorse or Robinson’s limited prior offending, Judge Marinovich allowed credit for Robinson’s age and health, and time spent on electronically monitored bail.
Robinson was then sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment, for which he would have to serve a minimum period of 50%.
“Even in your latter years, you have been sexually aroused and acted on that arousal,” the judge said.
“Age has not reduced that risk. Your issues run deep, and even after relatively significant rehabilitation, there was no progress.”
Tara Shaskey is an assistant editor and reporter for the Open Justice team. She joined NZME in 2022 and has worked as a journalist since 2014.