ANDREW COOK FROM LINCOLN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING UNDER-AGE GIRL IN LINCOLN

In November 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Andrew Martin Cook, a 48-year-old man from Lincoln, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The incident took place in the southern part of Lincoln, where Cook took a young girl to an unoccupied, under-renovation house after picking her up near a local Lincoln park.

According to court proceedings, Cook, who is a father of two, admitted to having sexual contact with the girl at the abandoned property. The Lincoln Crown Court heard that the house was not his residence; instead, it was a separate property undergoing renovation. Prosecutor Robert Underwood highlighted that the house contained a mattress, indicating its use for sexual activity.

Further evidence revealed that Cook had taken indecent photographs of the girl using his mobile phone. It was also disclosed that there had been prior communication between Cook and the girl via phone before the incident occurred. The girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, confided in a friend about what had happened, which eventually led to her being interviewed by specially trained police officers in a video interview.

The victim’s statement expressed her distress, stating she did not want the activity to happen, and her mother voiced her concern, believing her daughter’s innocence had been compromised. During police questioning, Cook chose to remain silent and did not offer any comments.

Cook was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of taking indecent images of a minor. All these offenses occurred on February 2 of the previous year. His defense, represented by Michael Cranmer-Brown, argued that there was no grooming involved and that the incident was spontaneous rather than premeditated. Cranmer-Brown emphasized that Cook disputed any targeting or grooming of the girl.

Judge John Pini QC delivered the sentence, noting Cook’s age at 47 at the time of the offenses. As part of his punishment, Cook was issued a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits any unsupervised contact with girls under the age of 16, aiming to prevent future offenses and protect potential victims.