MAN JAILED AFTER SEX ASSAULT ON GIRLS
A man has received a prison sentence after being convicted of sexually abusing two young girls who were considered vulnerable, with the abuse committed for his own sexual satisfaction.Oliver Cosh, residing on Wensum Crescent in Bicester, was handed the sentence at Oxford Crown Court on June 26.
The 36-year-old defendant had entered a plea of not guilty to seven charges brought against him.
He was accused of committing three separate instances of sexual assault against an eight-year-old girl in Bicester from August 31, 2019, to January 1, 2020.
Additionally, Cosh faced three counts of sexual assault involving a girl aged between 10 and 11 during the same period.
He was also charged with inciting the older girl to participate in sexual activities.
Earlier this year, a jury found Cosh guilty of the charges following a trial.
Judge Maria Lamb said: "You sexually abused those two young girls.
"Those two little girls were vulnerable and were ready targets for you to exercise your sexual gratification on them.
"You threatened to hurt them if they told anyone what you had done.
"The victims wanted to see justice done.
The sentence doesn't recompense them for the damage you have done.
"You targeted a particularly vulnerable child, that must have been obvious to you." Cosh was jailed for a total of nine years.
He was also made the subject of a 20-year sexual harm prevention order.
He must also comply with notification requirements of being on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
He was also given a restraining order to not contact the victims indefinitely.
During the trial, prosecution barrister James Clifford said: "There are several allegations each girl brings regarding the behaviour of Mr Cosh.
They say they were treated inappropriately." The jury heard the younger girl alleged Cosh touched her thigh, her genitals over clothing and her chest.
The older girl alleged he grabbed her bottom, put her hand on his genitals over his trousers and touched her thigh.
Mr Clifford said: "These allegations were accompanied at the time by the defendant telling them and threatening them not to say anything.
"He said 'don't say anything or I will hurt your mum'.
That would leave quite an impression on a young child.
"All of the incidents happened in a short time period." One allegedly took place at a Halloween party.
The jury heard that Cosh was said to have ushered the younger girl into a side room at a pub and told her to take her top off.
Mr Clifford said: "He touched her chest with both of his hands." The jury heard the girl felt 'gross'.
The jury heard that the younger girl initially told her teachers at school what had happened.
The older girl then came forward after that.
