PATRICK COOK FROM MOTTINGHAM JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WOOLWICH

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Mottingham, Patrick Cook, a 49-year-old man residing on The Mound in Mottingham, has been sentenced to nearly six years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offences involving young girls. The case was heard at Woolwich Crown Court, where Cook pleaded guilty to four separate charges related to child sexual abuse, leading to his conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Judge Philip Shorrock, presiding over the case, described Cook as a “predatory paedophile,” emphasizing the dangerous and calculated nature of his actions. The court heard that Cook exploited the anonymity of the internet to locate and target vulnerable victims, primarily girls as young as nine years old. His method involved establishing contact with their mothers, often single and in vulnerable circumstances, through online dating sites and chat rooms, which he used as platforms to lure and manipulate his victims.

One of the most disturbing incidents involved a nine-year-old girl in Cambridge, whom Cook sexually assaulted in December of the previous year. The assault occurred after Cook had met her mother on a dating website, highlighting how he used online platforms to build trust and access to his young victims. Additionally, Cook was convicted of assaulting an 11-year-old girl in Hastings in April of the previous year, further illustrating the pattern of his predatory behavior across different locations.

Investigations into Cook’s activities revealed that he had been attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl from Hackney for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. Police authorities, led by Bexley police, launched an inquiry in July 2008 after a woman came forward with allegations involving her nine-year-old daughter. Acting Detective Sergeant Graham Hillsdon of Bexley police explained that Cook’s targeting of vulnerable single mothers was a calculated effort to facilitate his offending. He added that many of Cook’s victims were initially reluctant to report the abuse out of fear of repercussions from social services or law enforcement, but through building trust, authorities were able to gather sufficient evidence to bring him to justice.

Police investigations also uncovered that Cook had been using the internet for several years to contact women and girls, raising concerns that there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. Authorities have urged anyone with information about Cook or his activities to contact the police at 0300 123 1212. As part of his sentence, Cook has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, is prohibited from working with children, and is subject to a sexual offences prevention order, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.