Barrister Robert Colover Quits After Describing 13-Year-Old Sex Attack Victim As 'Predatory'

Barrister Quits Over 'Predatory' Remarks
Open Image Modal
Snaresbrook Crown Court, where the comments were made
PA

A barrister who sparked fury when he branded a 13-year-old sex attack victim "predatory" in court has resigned from handling sexual offences.

The Crown Prosecution Service said Robert Colover's choice of language had been "grossly inappropriate" and agreed he should step down.

It was during the sentencing of paedophile Neil Wilson that Colover, the prosecuting barrister, said the victim had been "predatory" and "sexually experienced".

SEE ALSO:

On Monday, the CPS said he had agreed to resign from the CPS Rape Panel of advocates, admitting his description of the girl was inappropriate.

A spokesman said: "Counsel in the case agreed that he should not have used the expression that he did and deeply regretted his choice of words.

"It was agreed that he would resign from the CPS Rape Panel of advocates and will no longer undertake prosecutions involving serious sexual offences or child sexual abuse."

Wilson, 41, was handed a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years after he admitted engaging in sexual activity with the child, as well as offences of making indecent images of a child and offences of possession of an extreme pornographic image.

The sentence has been referred by Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC to the Court of Appeal, where three judges will decide whether or not it is unduly lenient and whether they should increase it.