May 2022

Pervert sentenced to twelve years

Former Isle of Wight man Robert Howart Duncan, who sexually abused two young children, has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars.

Duncan, of Chapel Walk in Bexhill-on-Sea in East Sussex but previously of Gurnard, near Cowes, first appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court on 13th April last year facing a total of four charges;

• Assault of a child under 13 by penetration

• Attempted rape of a child under 13 

• Two counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child

The 61-year-old pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him and the case went to trial at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

The court heard how Duncan, who previously worked for two local undertakers, had sexually abused the two underage girls – with one of them suffering repeated abuse at the hands of the paedophile for a 6-year period.

The youngest victim was just eight-years-old, with the offences taking place between 1999 and 2015.

On 21st March, a jury found him guilty on three counts but not guilty of the attempted rape.

The case was sent to Portsmouth Crown Court for sentencing.

Appearing in the dock last Friday, Robert Duncan was sentenced to a total of 12 years behind bars and one year on licence.

The judge also ordered him to sign on as a registered sex offender indefinitely and also made him subject to a sexual harm prevention order for an indefinite period.

It was decided that Duncan must serve a minimum of 8 years behind bars before he can apply for parole – meaning he will be behind bars until at least 2030