November 1989 Choir pervert ‘too ill for jail’ A choirmaster who sexually assaulted a 15 year old girl escaped a prison sentence because of a heart condition John Cooper, 51 yrs old of Colling Avenue, Seaham in County Durham attacked the schoolgirl pupil after a choir practice session at a care centre Cooper admitted indecent assault and was given a nine month suspended sentence and fined £200 at Teeside crown court. Mr Peter Schofield, defending said prison might kill him