ALAN COX FROM WAKEFIELD TARGETS CHILDREN IN CHURCH DURING SUPERVISION

In June 2006, a disturbing incident unfolded at a church in Wakefield involving Alan Cox, a known sex offender with a long history of criminal behavior related to children. Cox, aged 67 at the time, was under supervision following his release from prison, yet he engaged in inappropriate gestures towards young children during a church visit, raising serious concerns about his compliance with legal restrictions.

According to court reports, Cox was observed winking at a four-year-old girl while he was being monitored by his minder. The situation escalated when, after a faith lunch at the church, Cox approached a five-year-old boy and pressed a 20p coin into his hand. This act was witnessed by others present, prompting immediate concern and intervention. The incident was brought to the attention of the police, who subsequently investigated Cox's actions.

It was revealed that Cox had previously served a four-year prison sentence at Southampton Crown Court in February 2004, which was later reduced to 30 months upon appeal. After his release in November of the previous year, Cox moved into a hostel located on Peterson Road in Wakefield. Despite being subject to an enhanced supervision order that explicitly prohibited any contact with children under the age of 16, Cox violated these restrictions through his conduct at the church.

One of Cox’s designated supervisors noticed his inappropriate behavior and reported it to authorities. As a result, Cox was charged with breaching the conditions of his early release twice. The breaches led to his imprisonment for an additional three years. Throughout his criminal history, Cox accumulated 28 convictions encompassing 49 offenses, with 21 of these involving sexual offenses against children.

Prosecutor Philip Adams explained that Cox was first subjected to a sexual offences prevention order by Aldershot Magistrates Court in December 2003. He had previously breached this order by approaching and speaking to children in the street. Despite being under strict supervision after his latest release, Cox continued to disregard the legal restrictions, as evidenced by his actions at the Wakefield church.

During the court proceedings, it was detailed that after the church meal, Cox’s group was leaving when he seized the opportunity to approach the young boy. He bent down and pressed a 20p coin into the child's palm. When confronted by his escort, Cox claimed that he was simply recalling how he was given things as a child, denying any sexual intent. In an interview at Armley Jail in Leeds, Cox described his behavior as a “spur of the moment” action, insisting there was no sexual motive involved.

Representing Cox, lawyer Timothy Stead argued that his client suffered from long-standing personality disorders characterized by impulsivity and a lack of self-control. However, Judge Kerry McGill was unequivocal in her assessment, emphasizing Cox’s extensive criminal record and the danger he posed to children. She expressed serious doubts about Cox’s claims that his actions lacked sexual motivation, indicating that his behavior was highly concerning and indicative of deeper issues.