A convicted child rapist befriended families without telling them of his criminal past, buying gifts for youngsters who called him “Uncle Rob”.
Robin Arnold (71), of Mountain View, High Hesket, was one of two Britons jailed in 2010 by an Albanian court.
Carlisle Crown Court heard Arnold was handed a 15-and-a-half year jail term for the rape of a boy aged under 13.
It was reported by Albanian media at the time that he and Dino Christodolou — locked up for 20 years — had worked at a missionary orphanage and were guilty of sex crimes against minors. The founder of that home in the early 2000s, charity worker David Brown, had been jailed in 2008 for 20 years.
Christodolou and Arnold left Albania but both were extradited from Britain and went on trial having pleaded not guilty.
Arnold was released from custody in March, 2020, and is subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) with strict conditions.
Ben Stanley, prosecuting, said one condition banned him from living or remaining in any household in which there was a child or children — unless parents or guardians knew of his previous sexual convictions.
“Police became aware on 2nd June of this year that the defendant had befriended a number of African families in Carlisle,” said Mr Stanley. Arnold introduced himself and offered to help them acquire furniture. “His mobile number was shared within the community. He established connections with more people,” said the prosecutor.
These included two mothers, each with three children, and a father with two youngsters. Police discovered that on several different occasions in late 2022 and early this year, Arnold had delivered furniture to their homes while children were present. Speaking of information gathered after one particular visit, in March, Mr Stanley said: “The children were familiar with the defendant. He would bring them gifts. They would refer to him as Uncle Rob.”
Arnold was quizzed by police on 8th June. “He stated he had forgotten about the (SHPO) requirement to inform individuals of his offending,” said Mr Stanley. Arnold admitted four breaches of the SHPO and was sentenced by Judge Nicholas Barker.
The judge heard Arnold had four previous convictions for four offences. These included indecent assaults dating back to 1987 and also 1994.
Kim Whittlestone, defending, said Arnold was aware the court would pass a prison sentence for flouting the SHPO. “He is a 71-year-old man now. He has significant relevant convictions recorded against him,” said Miss Whittlestone.
“He says that he became friendly with the families. His intentions were innocent. There is no evidence he has committed any offences against the children involved in these families.
“He wanted, out of his Christian beliefs, to help the families. It appears he did that in many ways. He says that the majority of the contact he had with them came through them approaching him.”
Miss Whittlestone said Arnold had informed at least one individual of his past offending, although she added: “He was burying his head in the sand. He wants to try and live a law-abiding life with his Christian views.”
Judge Barker jailed Arnold for 20 months. He concluded: “You deliberately deceived them (the families). You continue to seek to hide behind half-truths and lies. You perhaps deceive yourself as much as you seek to deceive others.”
Judge Barker reminded Arnold that the strict court order will continue to run without limit of time.
After the sentencing, a Cumbria police spokesman said: “We work hard to monitor and manage people who are subject to such orders as part of our work to protect the public.”
