RICHARD COOK

IPSWICH TEACHER JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWN

Primary school teacher Richard Cook was convicted at Ipswich Crown Court on charges related to child sex offenses, after it emerged he had sent explicit messages, images, and videos to what he believed were three young girls aged nine, thirteen, and fourteen.

He also made an attempt to meet one of the girls for sexual activity in Christchurch Park.

As he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, Cook was seen crying in the dock.

The court also noted that his own children did not want to see him again.

During the trial, it was revealed that Cook communicated with the decoys via the Kik messaging platform, under the false belief that he was talking to underage girls.

He was convicted of encouraging a child to view a sexual act, trying to persuade a child to engage in sexual activity, facilitating a sex act with a girl under 16, and producing indecent images of children.

Cook denied responsibility for the messages, claiming his phone was hacked and that he used the images to excite his partner and revive his dormant love life.

Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed to monitor his devices for the next 15 years, along with a restraining order preventing contact with his former partner and children until they are 18.

The judge noted that Cook has been estranged from his children, who currently refuse to see him, and sentenced him to seven years’ imprisonment.