ALIN COBZARU JAILED IN SOUTHPORT FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST A CHILD
A man from Southport has been sentenced to prison after admitting to multiple sexual offences involving a child.28-year-old Alin Cobzaru, residing on Scarisbrick Street, Southport, was convicted in Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, 11 February, of four counts of sexual activity with a child involving penetration.
He received a sentence of 7 years and 8 months in prison.
Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and to adhere to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
The offences were reported in November 2020.
Following an investigation by police, Cobzaru was promptly arrested, charged, and remanded into custody.
Initially, Cobzaru denied committing any sexual offences against the girl, who was under 16 at the time.
His denial resulted in two separate trials; one was halted due to COVID-19 related issues, and the other ended in a hung jury.
However, ahead of a third trial, Cobzaru changed his plea and admitted to four offences of sexual activity with a child.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Parry of the Forces Protecting Vulnerable People Unit stated: "Cobzaru exploited his victim for his own sexual gratification and it is a relief that he has now been dealt with by the courts.
I would like to pay tribute to the strength and bravery shown by the victim throughout the investigation.
While she and her family have received full support from our officers from the moment the offending was reported and throughout the court process, the impact of Cobzaru's actions will last a lifetime." He continued, "By initially denying the offences, Cobzaru forced his young victim to relive her ordeal during court proceedings.
It is gratifying to know he is now behind bars and can no longer cause harm to others.
Most importantly, I want to reassure the communities of Merseyside that police will not tolerate anyone who seeks to exploit young people in this way.
If any young person feels uncomfortable with sexualised behaviour, whether in person or online, they should contact police.
We have a dedicated team that investigates all forms of child exploitation and will treat any information received very seriously." He added: "If you have any suspicions about young people who might be at risk of this type of offending, please call police immediately.
We can assess the situation and take appropriate action.
Dial 999 if it is in progress, or contact us via 101, @MerPolCC on social media, or anonymously at 0800 555 111.
Visit https://www.listentomystory.co.uk/ for a campaign raising awareness of child sexual exploitation, which offers guidance for parents, teachers, carers, and young people on recognizing warning signs." Merseyside Police, along with three other forces, has participated in a pilot project providing a new online service to report rape, sexual assault, and other sexual offences.
This platform allows for anonymous reporting, making it easier for victims and witnesses to come forward.
