A paedophile jailed in Morocco for 20 years for abducting three six-year-olds has died. Robert Bill, a former teacher and playground designer from St Asaph was found guilty of kidnapping and attempted rape by a court in Tetouan in 2014, then aged 59.
The father of four told the court he approached his victims because of his love of children. He was arrested in June 2013 after locals heard a girl’s screams for help from his Spanish-registered car at a petrol station in Tetouan, a port town in the north of the African country.
He was also found guilty of kidnapping and attempting to rape another two Moroccan girls before his arrest – one in Tetouan and one in the town of Chefchaouen, an hour's drive south. In 2009 Bill was jailed for six years at Caernarfon Crown Court for attempting to abduct a five-year-old girl in Holywell in 2007.
He later appealed and after pleading guilty before a retrial, was sentenced to a two-year prison term at Chester Crown Court in 2010. After being released from prison he travelled to southern Spain in August 2012 where he found work as an estate agent and blended into the expat community.
But within months a manhunt was launched by Spanish detectives after he was alleged to have bundled a 12-year-old girl into a car in the centre of Velez-Malaga in broad daylight before she escaped. Bill arrived in Morocco in November 2012 from the town of Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the north African coast.
After being convicted in Morocco he was jailed for 20 years in April 2014. North Wales Live has been told he has now died in prison in Morocco.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Morocco and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Bill’s History of Offenses
Robert Bill’s history of sexual offenses dates back to 2007, when he attempted to abduct a five-year-old girl in Holywell. He was subsequently jailed for six years at Caernarfon Crown Court in 2009 for this crime.
Bill appealed his sentence and after pleading guilty before a retrial, he was jailed for two years at Chester Crown Court in 2010. Upon his release, he travelled to Spain and found work as an estate agent, but this didn’t deter his criminal activities.
In 2012, Bill was accused of bundling a 12-year-old girl into his car in Velez-Malaga, Spain, before she managed to escape. This incident prompted Spanish detectives to launch a manhunt for Bill.
Bill arrived in Morocco in November 2012 from Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the North African Coast, to evade capture. However, his criminal activities continued, and he was eventually caught and arrested in June 2013 in Tetouan, a port town in the north of Morocco.
Bill’s 2014 Conviction and Death in Prison
In 2014, Bill was found guilty of kidnapping and attempting to rape three six-year-old girls in Morocco. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Bill’s crimes in Morocco were particularly horrific, as he approached his victims claiming to be a children’s charity worker.
Bill’s actions have left a lasting impact on the communities he targeted. The news of his death has provided a sense of closure for those who were affected by his crimes, but it is important to remember the pain and suffering he caused.
The Importance of Protecting Children
The case of Robert Bill is a stark reminder of the importance of protecting children. It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of child sexual abuse and to provide support for victims and their families.
We must work together to create a society where children are safe and protected from harm. If you or someone you know is being abused, please reach out for help.
There are many organizations that can provide support and resources. You can find more information at the National Sexual Assault Hotline: https://www.rainn.org/.
It is also essential to report any suspected child abuse to the authorities. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment. We must do everything we can to ensure that this happens.
