LEONARD COOK BRIDGWATER CHILD ABUSE HORROR REVEALED IN COURT

In a chilling case that has shocked the community of Bridgwater, Leonard Cook, a 67-year-old man from the Sydenham area, has been convicted of a series of heinous child sexual offences spanning over two decades. The severity and depravity of his crimes have led to a substantial prison sentence, reflecting the gravity of his actions.

Cook was initially brought before Taunton Crown Court in July 2016, where he admitted to a total of 16 sexual offences committed against young girls. The court proceedings revealed that these offences involved multiple victims, all of whom were between the ages of five and 11 at the time of the abuse. The charges included nine counts of sexual assault and one count of rape, highlighting the extent of his criminal conduct.

During the hearing, the court's legal advisor took over half an hour to read through the detailed list of charges, which related to several different girls. The offences spanned from 1990 to 2015, involving eight victims under the age of 13. The lengthy period over which these crimes occurred underscores a pattern of predatory behaviour that persisted for many years.

Following his guilty plea, Cook was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with an extended licence period of five years. This means he will be required to serve a minimum of 14 years before being eligible for parole. The sentence reflects the serious nature of his crimes and the impact on the victims involved.

Cook's arrest was initiated in August 2015 after the mother of one of the victims contacted police with concerns about her child's wellbeing. The subsequent investigation uncovered additional victims and evidence, leading to multiple charges against him. The case has been a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need to protect vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.

In a related development in June 2016, further allegations emerged against Cook, who was accused of poisoning children in addition to his sexual offences. He faced a total of 39 charges related to child abuse, involving 11 different victims over a period stretching from the early 1980s to the present day. Cook, who resides on Weacombe Road in Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to 16 of these counts during a court hearing at Taunton Crown Court.

The charges he admitted include indecent assault on a child under 16, sexual assault with sexual touching on a girl aged between eight and ten, and rape of a child under 13. The court proceedings again highlighted the disturbing nature of his crimes, which spanned many years and affected numerous young victims.

During the June hearing, the court refused Cook's request to appear via video link for his sentencing scheduled on July 28, emphasizing the court's stance on the seriousness of his offences. His defense attorney, Patrick Mason, stated that Cook did not wish to be present in court, but Judge David Ticehurst insisted on his physical presence, underscoring the gravity of the case.

Cook is set to face trial for the remaining offences on July 25, with sentencing to follow shortly thereafter. Until then, he remains in custody, awaiting the culmination of a case that has brought to light a disturbing history of child abuse in Bridgwater, leaving a community in shock and demanding justice for the victims involved.