Robert Emmerson Sentenced to a Longer Jail Term

Robert Emmerson, a convicted sex offender, will serve a longer prison term after a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal that deemed his initial sentence 'unduly lenient'.

Background of Offences

Emmerson was first arrested in 2015 for exposure and stalking in Baguley. Despite committing these offences, he received no prison time at that point. Following this, he embarked on a series of sexual assaults against university students.

Between November 2023 and April 2024, he attacked students aged 18 to 24, employing a tactic of chasing them down, grabbing them from behind, and pinning them to the ground while groping them.

The 40-year-old was known for exposing himself to young women and schoolgirls, escalating his offences in Wythenshawe near his home.

Initial Sentencing

In January 2025, at Manchester Crown Court, Emmerson was sentenced to four-and-a-half years after being found guilty of multiple sexual assault and indecent exposure charges. This sentence, which was viewed as light given his history, prompted an appeal from prosecutor Gemma White.

Appeal Outcome

On May 1, 2025, the Court of Appeal quashed his original sentence, asserting it was too lenient. The judges expressed concerns about Emmerson being a serious danger to the public and subsequently imposed a new sentence of seven years.

During the appeal process, he was quoted saying ‘f*** sake’ while waiting in HMP Risley.

Judicial Commentary

The judges highlighted that his crimes involved 'significant violence' and were premeditated, demonstrating obsessive behavior associated with escalating sexual offences. They described Emmerson as having a 'profound sexual obsession' and noted his inability to engage in pro-social expressions of his sexual thoughts.

Furthermore, the court found that he poses a high risk of sexual harm, particularly to young women and teenage girls.

Emmerson is now in prison for a total of seven years, with his previous sentence deemed manifestly insufficient for the nature of his crimes and public safety considerations.