ASHLEIGH COOPER FROM LOUTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LINCOLN
In a case that has shocked the community of Louth, a local man named Ashleigh Cooper has been sentenced to a total of four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences.The proceedings took place at Lincoln Crown Court, where the gravity of his crimes was laid bare.
Cooper, aged 22 and residing in Kelstern, Louth, faced serious charges including six counts of inciting a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity, as well as possession of indecent images of children.
His arrest and subsequent conviction stemmed from an investigation that was initially unrelated to his crimes but ultimately uncovered his disturbing activities.
The investigation was initiated when South Wales Police seized a laptop belonging to a 12-year-old girl during an unrelated inquiry.
Upon examination, authorities discovered communications linking the device to Cooper.
This evidence prompted a warrant to be executed at his residence in November 2012, leading to his arrest on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
As the investigation progressed, authorities delved deeper into Cooper’s online chat logs.
In April 2013, he was re-arrested on suspicion of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual acts.
Despite his claims that an alternate personality was responsible for his actions, Judge Michael Heath made it clear that he was convinced Cooper was the individual behind the offences.
On April 15, Cooper was convicted and sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.
He received a four-year prison term for five of the charges, while a sixth charge resulted in an additional two-and-a-half-year sentence, to be served concurrently.
The judge’s decision underscored the severity of his crimes and the importance of holding offenders accountable.
Detective Constable Nicky Linn, a member of Lincolnshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Team, expressed her condemnation of Cooper’s actions.
She stated, “Ashleigh Cooper committed some appalling offences, and his victim may never be able to get over the experience of what he put her through.
He tried to claim that he had another personality who was responsible for his behaviour, but fortunately the judge gave no credence to this.
It is clear that people who choose to engage in these sort of offences will be brought to justice and be held fully accountable for their deeds.”
