DAVID COLE POOLE SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED AFTER FOLLOWING VICTIM FROM YORKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community, David Cole, a man with a history of sexual offenses, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his disturbing actions that spanned over a decade. Cole, who resides on Wesley Road in Poole, was convicted of abusing a young boy he met in the early 1990s at a youth club in Yorkshire, where he was involved in helping out.

Over a period of three years, Cole repeatedly assaulted the then-13-year-old victim. The abuse was so severe that Cole eventually moved the boy into his own home after separating from his wife, further entrenching his inappropriate relationship with the minor. The case came to light after the victim, now an adult, reported the abuse, leading to Cole’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Earlier this year, Cole, aged 55, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault involving a male and indecency with a child at Bournemouth Crown Court. This marked the second time Cole had been imprisoned for sex-related offenses, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior. His previous incarceration included a 21-month sentence, from which he was released in 2002. Despite his criminal history, Cole moved to the Poole area approximately ten years ago, after the victim had already relocated to the region.

During the sentencing hearing, Reverend Christopher Strain of St Luke’s Church in Parkstone appeared as a character witness. Reverend Strain emphasized that Cole, who has not committed any further offenses since his release, had “always demonstrated remorse for his offence.” He also noted that Cole had made efforts to avoid contact with children and described him as empathetic and supportive of others. The Reverend’s testimony aimed to provide context for Cole’s character, despite the gravity of his past crimes.

In mitigation, lawyer Anne Brown highlighted Cole’s “full and frank admission” to police, describing it as “slightly disturbing reading.” She explained that Cole was candid about his offending and the distorted thinking that led to his actions. Brown acknowledged that Cole understood the impact of his crimes, recognizing that the victim had suffered mental anguish for nearly 20 years. She also revealed that Cole, who was employed by Majestic Transformer in Poole, had moved to the area partly to be near his victim, believing their relationship was a significant friendship. Brown stressed that Cole now comprehended the victim’s perspective and the harm caused.

However, Judge Samuel Wiggs expressed concern about Cole’s psychological state, revealing that he had fantasized about “boys smoking cigarettes.” The judge was particularly worried about Cole’s decision to live in the same county as his victim, which could pose ongoing risks. Addressing Cole directly, Judge Wiggs described the case as “extremely sad” and acknowledged that Cole now understood the extent of his past wrongdoings. The judge stated, “You do now understand what you did all those years ago. You now recognise you have effectively wrecked (your victim’s) life in many ways,” emphasizing the lasting damage inflicted by Cole’s actions.