DENNIS COTTEE AND HIS HORRIFIC CRIMES IN SWINDON AND BROAD TOWN
A man accused of heinous sexual abuse within his own family, Dennis Cottee, who resides in Broad Town near Swindon, was spared a lengthy prison sentence due to his severe health condition.The crimes he committed against his two daughters are regarded by the court as profoundly disturbing and morally reprehensible.
Judge Jason Taylor QC described Cottee’s actions as evil, emphasizing the significant and lasting trauma inflicted upon his victims.
The 85-year-old, known to live in Broad Town, was convicted alongside his son, Jacques Cottee.
The latter was sentenced earlier this month to three years and ten months in prison after a jury in Swindon found him guilty of incest and molesting his older sister.
The offences occurred in the early 1980s, with the victims and their family having been deeply affected by these revelations.
During the trial, both victims requested to waive their anonymity partially so that their father and brother could be publicly named.
The newspaper, The Adver, agreed to this request, but the identities of the victims are being kept confidential to respect their privacy.
Dennis Cottee’s health issues played a crucial role in the court’s decisions.
It was revealed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and was currently under palliative care, rendering him unfit to stand trial.
Despite this, the court determined that twelve charges against him, including the rape of his elder daughter and repeated abuse of the younger, could be considered proven.
Because of his condition, he was not sentenced to a prison term but was instead placed under a supervision order.
Cottee is required to comply with the terms set by the probation service and is mandated to register as a sex offender for the next five years.
Judge Taylor expressed profound regret that he could not impose a harsher punishment due to Cottee’s health.
He stated, “It’s clear to me that these actions have had a devastating and debilitating effect on their lives and will continue to do so as they move forward.
They are emotionally and psychologically scarred and they always will be.” The judge also noted that if Cottee had been fit to stand trial, he likely would have received a much longer custodial sentence, possibly facing imprisonment until his death.
The court detailed the brutal nature of the abuse, which began when the older daughter was a secondary school student.
Cottee coerced her into performing sexual acts while driving home from watching a film at The Savoy cinema in Swindon.
Over time, the abuse escalated, culminating in him raping her when she was in her mid-teens.
The younger daughter’s ordeal began when she was only four years old.
Cottee coerced her into performing sex acts on him in their car parked outside shops in Cricklade.
The abuse extended to molestation on the family farm, where he simulated sex with her in the animal sheds.
One particularly distressing incident took place on an upstairs landing of their farmhouse while a family friend's mother was inside, dying of cancer nearby.
During that period, the young girl’s mother recalls hearing her daughter in distress, describing the dying woman’s rattling and gargling sounds as she listened helplessly.
This case sheds light on the profoundly damaging impact of familial abuse and underscores the long-lasting scars inflicted upon victims by those they trust.
Despite his illness, the court acknowledged the gravity of Cottee’s crimes, which have left indelible psychological wounds on his daughters.
The judicial decision reflects the complex balance between justice and compassion, recognizing the suffering endured while considering Cottee’s declining health and the legal constraints regarding sentencing.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of abuse within the family unit, especially when perpetrated by those in positions of trust.
It highlights the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and ensuring that justice is served even in the most challenging circumstances.
