A man who facilitated the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old schoolgirl had his sentence backed by senior judges today (Wednesday).

Aaron Duwayne Robinson, of London Colney, was jailed for 32 months at St Albans Crown Court in June.

Robinson, who became a dad for the first time while behind bars, pleaded guilty to facilitating a child sexual offence after he drove a 12-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to a hotel where she was sexually abused.

Mr Justice Dove told London’s Appeal Court that Robinson, 28, arranged to meet his young victim through social media.

Robinson sent a text to a pal which read: “I’m with a dirty slag” after he drove her to an hotel, and asked if “he wanted a piece”.

Staff at the hotel became suspicious about her, the court heard.

The judge added: “It appears that both she and Robinson had the intention of taking drugs together.”

Soon after he took the youngster to another hotel where she was sexually assaulted by Robinson’s accomplice.

Mr Justice Dove explained: “He left the girl in the company of his co-accused and sexual activity occurred between her and the co-accused.”

Robinson pleaded guilty on the basis that he believed the girl, who had a sophisticated appearance, was 17.

And his case reached the Appeal Court as his legal team challenged the 32-month sentence.

Also under attack was the sexual harm prevention order imposed alongside his sentence.

His lawyers pointed out that Robinson’s role was “simply to drive the victim to the second hotel and leave her there”.

It was argued: “He didn’t know she was as young as she in fact was.”

But Mr Justice Dove, who was sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice King, rejected claims that the sentence was too harsh.

He said: “We are satisfied there was a degree of planning about what occurred in respect of Robinson meeting the victim - with her remaining with him for a significant period of time, and his texting another and then arranging for her to be available for sexual activity.”

He continued: “We do not consider this sentence was manifestly excessive.”

However, the three judges went on to overturn Robinson’s five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Mr Justice Dove concluded: “We do not consider that an order of this kind was necessary to protect the public, children or vulnerable adults.”