DAVID COLE FROM LONDON JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN EVESHAM AND WORCESTER
In January 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving David Cole, a 22-year-old homeless man originally from Sierra Leone, who traveled over 100 miles from London to commit a series of sexual offenses against a 14-year-old girl in Worcestershire.Cole’s actions were driven by manipulative grooming tactics he employed after meeting the girl online, where he falsely claimed to be 16 years old.
According to court records, Cole successfully persuaded the young girl to meet him in person for sexual activity.
The meeting took place in her home in Evesham, Worcestershire, where he sexually assaulted her.
The girl’s parents were away at the time, and during this visit, one of her friends attempted to take a photograph of Cole.
In response, Cole became violent, snatching the camera away to conceal his true age and intentions.
Following the assault, Cole spent the night at the girl’s residence, during which they engaged in unprotected sex on August 20.
The girl later expressed her fears of pregnancy, but a test confirmed she was not pregnant.
The next day, Cole returned to London with the girl, and the pair spent two nights sleeping rough, including one at Paddington railway station.
Their journey continued on August 29, when they traveled back to Evesham, where they engaged in sexual activity again before Cole’s arrest the following day.
During police interviews, the girl described feeling 'devastated' upon discovering Cole’s deception about his age, believing he was only 16.
Cole’s criminal actions included two sexual assaults and meeting a child after grooming her online.
He pleaded guilty to all charges and was subsequently sentenced to 45 months in prison at Worcester Crown Court on January 16.
In addition to his prison sentence, Cole was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
He was also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order that restricts him from using the internet and engaging with anyone under 16 for a period of five years.
The court also indicated that Cole could face deportation back to Sierra Leone after serving his sentence.
Detective Sergeant Jim Hopkins from West Mercia Police highlighted the efforts of the dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) team, which worked closely with the victim and her family to ensure they received necessary support throughout the investigation.
He emphasized the trauma experienced by the young girl and commended her courage in supporting the case.
Hopkins also urged the public to heed online safety advice available on the police’s website and assured that law enforcement agencies remain committed to protecting children from exploitation and targeting offenders who prey on vulnerable individuals.
