MICHAEL COOLEY SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN PRISON IN BRADFORD FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In February 2019, Michael Cooley, a supermarket manager from Baildon, was sentenced to 19 years in prison after being convicted of serious sexual offences against two young boys. Described as a “thrill-seeking” paedophile, Cooley exploited his good character to conceal eight years of abuse. Bradford Crown Court heard that he committed 18 offences, including the rape of a child under 13, multiple sexual assaults, and inciting children to engage in sexual activity.

Cooley, 55, was brought from prison to face the court, where Judge Neil Davey QC declared him a dangerous offender. The judge sentenced Cooley to a total of 20 years, with up to 19 years to be served behind bars, plus an additional 12 months on extended license.

In his remarks, Judge Davey stated that Cooley had treated his young victims as “useable and disposable for your own sexual gratification.”

The first victim, aged nine to 14 at the time, told the court that Cooley molested him on a trampoline, inside a house, in a car, and in a swimming pool. The boy expressed his fear and acknowledged that he knew the abuse was wrong.

The second victim was just eight and nine years old when Cooley committed sexual offences against him. The abuse included being assaulted in a car and being orally raped when Cooley forced his head down. Cooley also showed him a pornographic video on his phone featuring a roughly 12-year-old child who was indecently exposed.

Both boys provided victim personal statements, sharing that they suffer from nightmares and flashbacks. They described how the abuse has impacted their schooling and that their innocence has been fundamentally robbed.

Prosecutor Nick Askins called for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with no time limit, and Judge Davey ordered Cooley to sign the sex offender register for life.