ALGER COOPER FROM NORTH HYKEHAM SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN LINCOLNSHIRE AND BEYOND

In a case that has shocked the local community and beyond, Alger Cooper, a 75-year-old resident of Meadow Lane in North Hykeham, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 17 years for the heinous sexual abuse of a young girl. The court heard that Cooper's crimes spanned several years and took place across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, involving a victim who was just eight years old at the start of the abuse.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC delivered a stern verdict at Gloucester Crown Court, condemning Cooper's actions as 'completely despicable.' The judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating that Cooper had been convicted of six charges related to raping and indecently assaulting the girl, who has since grown into an adult. The abuse occurred over a period when the girl was between the ages of eight and 15, with the court hearing detailed accounts of the trauma inflicted upon her.

Throughout the trial, Cooper maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and claiming that the girl was lying. Despite his denials, evidence was presented that revealed Cooper had sought medical advice on three separate occasions, discussing issues related to his high sex drive and his inappropriate interest in the young girl. This evidence was used to establish a pattern of behavior that contributed to the conviction.

The victim, who chose to come forward only in January of this year, recounted how she endured forced abuse at Cooper's hands. She described being stripped naked during the assaults and sometimes left with visible love bites, which she had to conceal with high-necked jumpers. Her silence was broken only after years of suffering, leading her to report the abuse to the police and finally bring her ordeal to light.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Tabor highlighted the gravity of Cooper's actions, noting that he had raped the girl on at least ten occasions when she was under 14, and on at least five occasions when she was under 15. The judge also pointed out that Cooper engaged in other sexual acts with the victim, further underscoring the extent of his misconduct. The court acknowledged the lasting impact of these crimes on the victim, emphasizing that her suffering continues to this day.

While the court recognized that Cooper's age and health would make incarceration difficult, it clarified that he does not pose a 'dangerous' threat under legal definitions. As a result, no additional restrictions were deemed necessary beyond his lifelong requirement to register as a sex offender. Cooper's solicitor, Paul Trotman, urged the court to consider his client's age and physical condition, noting that imprisonment would be particularly harsh for him. Trotman also mentioned that Cooper had been a man of good character apart from these offenses and that his wife, Mary, who was unable to attend the sentencing due to her health, would suffer greatly from his absence, as she relies on him as her carer.

Ultimately, the court's decision reflects the seriousness of Cooper's crimes and the need for justice for the victim, while also taking into account his age and health circumstances.