Former Teacher jailed for child sex offences

Today, Tuesday 24 September, a former teacher from Southport was jailed for online child sex offences after a thorough investigation by detectives from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, assisted by officers from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit and Merseyside Police. 

On 9 June 2023, police executed a warrant at Robert Collins’ address on Banks Road, Southport, and seized his phone and computer and other digital equipment. He was arrested on suspicion of online child sex offences.

After conducting a comprehensive examination of hundreds of chat logs spanning four years, from August 2019 to May 2023, detectives discovered graphic photographs that he had sent to girls under 16, including conversations suggesting he would meet them.

Robert Collins, 39, of Banks Road, Southport, who was a teacher at a high school in Sefton also had multiple graphic photographs of his victims on his mobile phone.

The NWROCU, Merseyside Police, Sefton Council, and the high school have worked together holding a number of multi-agency meetings, and the school took swift action by terminating his contract in July last year.

Collins was jailed for 2 years and 6 months at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a girl to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent images of a child, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life. 

Detective Inspector Jon Weir from the NWROCU said:

“I would like to thank the detectives on the investigation team who have worked tirelessly to gather the evidence to bring Robert Collins to justice. 

“I hope that some comfort can now be taken now that he is behind bars and can no longer cause any further harm to children. 

“The significant sentence today is testament to our team’s commitment and dedication to get justice for the defendants’ victims. It further shows that the NWROCU, working with partners is committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm.

“We would urge any child, or young person who is a victim of sexual abuse, or anyone who knows of a child being abused, to come forward and report this to police.

“Call 999 if you suspect such an incident is in progress, or pass any other information via 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:

NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111

Mr Alex Wood, Headteacher at Formby High School said: 

“We were absolutely appalled to learn of these shocking offences. While the offences are in no way connected to Mr Collins’ work at Formby High School, the severity of their nature meant he was immediately suspended from all duties following his arrest and subsequently dismissed.  

“The safety and wellbeing of our students will always be our highest priority and we have robust safeguarding policies in place to ensure their protection.

“We have fully co-operated with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and Merseyside Police throughout the investigation and thank them for their diligent work in bringing this individual to account.”

NWROCU can confirm that there are no offences connected with the school where Robert Collins was a teacher.