OLDHAM TEACHING ASSISTANT KIERAN COTTERILL REPEATEDLY BREACHES COURT ORDERS AFTER SEXUAL OFFENCES
In a disturbing series of events, Kieran Cotterill, a former teaching assistant from Oldham, has once again found himself at the center of a serious legal breach following his early release from prison.Cotterill, aged 29, who was previously convicted of multiple sexual offences involving vulnerable schoolboys, was caught engaging in illicit communication with a third minor shortly after his release.
His initial conviction stemmed from a series of heinous acts committed at a special needs school in Oldham, where he was employed.
In February of the previous year, Cotterill was sentenced to 20 months in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual communication with two young boys aged 13 and 14.
The court also heard that he caused a child to watch a sexual act and incited another to engage in sexual activity.
During the trial, it was revealed that Cotterill had befriended the victims, grooming them by sending nude selfies of himself pleasuring himself and telling them that such acts were 'natural and fun.' He continued to send sexual messages and explicit images to the boys, with the clear intent of manipulating them into sexual activity.
His role extended beyond the classroom, as he was also involved with a local youth football team, where he maintained contact with minors and continued his inappropriate behavior.
After serving part of his sentence, Cotterill was released in December of the previous year.
However, his freedom was short-lived.
In April, just a few months after his release, he was caught breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that explicitly prohibited him from communicating with children.
The breach was discovered when Cotterill used Snapchat to contact a 14-year-old boy, who recognized him as a former teacher and was aware of his criminal background.
The court heard that Cotterill had falsely claimed to be 15, used the alias Brandon, and asked the boy for pictures of his body.
The 14-year-old, upon recognizing Cotterill, informed his teachers and showed them the messages.
The boy also reported that Cotterill had taken a picture of his stomach, although he did not send any images himself.
The boy believed Cotterill recognized him during the chat, which raised serious concerns about the potential for further grooming or exploitation.
Prosecutor Miss Juliet Berry stated, 'He contacted the boy via Snapchat and purported to be a teenager; however, when he sent a picture, the boy recognized him as a former teaching assistant at his school.
The boy was also aware that the defendant had been dismissed from his role following inappropriate conduct towards other pupils.
The boy describes how the defendant asked him for pictures of his body, but the boy refused and later disclosed what happened to staff at his school.' Following these revelations, Cotterill was taken back into custody.
He admitted to breaching the SHPO but denied making any indecent overtures towards the unnamed boy.
At Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, he faced a sentencing hearing where he was given a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Additionally, he was ordered to participate in the Government’s Horizon programme, designed for convicted sex offenders.
The court also ordered police to continue analyzing his phone to determine if there were any other illicit communications or potential victims.
This case underscores the ongoing risks posed by individuals like Cotterill, who continue to breach legal restrictions even after serving time for serious offenses.
His history of grooming and sexual misconduct against minors in Oldham highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable children from further harm.
