GEORGE COX FROM TUNSTALL AND WARRINGTON JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE CRIMES

In a case that has spanned over three decades, Geoffrey Cox, a 63-year-old man from Tunstall, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of indecent assault involving a teenage girl. The incident, which occurred approximately 30 years ago, only came to light after the victim, now an adult, decided to come forward and report the abuse in 2010.

The court proceedings revealed that Cox's offending was part of a disturbing pattern of misconduct that involved other individuals, notably Owen Worrall, a 73-year-old man from Warrington, who was identified as the primary perpetrator of the abuse. Worrall was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in the crimes. Prosecutor Tariq Shaqoor detailed the nature of the abuse, stating, “Worrall encouraged the complainant to touch a woman on her breasts, stomach, and other parts of her body. She then kissed her and touched her breasts.”

The court heard that Worrall introduced the young victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to Cox, who was in his mid-30s at the time. During one particularly disturbing incident, Cox performed a sexual act in front of the victim and subsequently touched her body inappropriately. These offences took place shortly after Cox had received a suspended sentence for previous sexual offences, highlighting a troubling pattern of behavior.

Geoffrey Cox, residing on Furlong Road in Tunstall, pleaded guilty to the charge of indecent assault. His defense lawyer, Anis Ali, argued that Cox had led a crime-free life since the offending, emphasizing that the crime occurred nearly 30 years ago and that Cox had shown remorse. Ali stated, “It was committed the best part of 30 years ago. There has been no repetition of this conduct. He is deeply embarrassed and ashamed.”

In contrast, the victim’s legal representative, Paul Treble, acknowledged the severity of the offence but also noted the influence of Worrall on the young woman. Treble explained, “She deeply regrets what she did. She was influenced by her co-defendant, Worrall. He was in his early 40s, and the defendant was a young woman of 20. It only happened once. She was embarrassed and disgusted and is even more embarrassed and disgusted now.”

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Cox to 10 months in prison. Additionally, Cox was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years and was disqualified from working with children. The judge also took into account Cox’s clean record since the offences and his remorse, which influenced the decision to avoid a longer custodial sentence.

Meanwhile, the court sentenced the young woman involved to an eight-month prison term, suspended for 12 months, with six months of supervision. She was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and banned from working with children. The judge remarked on the long-lasting impact of the abuse, stating, “The complainant was traumatised for a considerable period of time. She felt unable to report what had been happening. She has been significantly affected.”

This case underscores the enduring scars of childhood abuse and the importance of justice, even when the crimes are committed many years in the past, and highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring offenders to account regardless of the passage of time.