ROBERT COOPER SENTENCED IN BOURNEMOUTH AND LEICESTER CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Bournemouth and Leicester, Robert Cooper, a 52-year-old telephone engineer, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for the sexual abuse of three young girls. The conviction followed a trial at Exeter Crown Court, where Cooper was found guilty on all 10 charges of indecency, despite his initial plea of not guilty.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Graham Cottle addressed Cooper directly, stating, "The distress and pain you inflicted was evident from the evidence your victims gave in the trial. The recollections of their childhoods will be dominated by what you did to them. You chose to plead not guilty and that meant they had to relive their ordeals in court. The writer of the pre-sentence report thinks that you represent a fairly high risk of re-offending."

Judge Cottle further ordered that upon his release, Cooper must remain on licence for the duration of his prison sentence and be registered on the Sex Offenders Register for life, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the potential danger he poses.

The court heard that the abuse took place over an eight-year period, from 1990 to 1998, in both Bournemouth and Leicester. The victims, who were between the ages of 11 and 17 at the time, recounted their traumatic experiences, which left lasting scars. Cooper denied the allegations, claiming he had not indecently assaulted the girls while he was supposed to be caring for them.

During the trial, the jury was informed of the locations and timeline of the abuse, which spanned nearly a decade. The defense, represented by Stuart Patterson, argued that none of the incidents involved persistent abuse. He acknowledged that Cooper had difficulty facing up to his actions but also stated that Cooper had recently found the courage to confide in his partner and children about what he had done, expressing a desire to seek help and address his issues.

Ultimately, the court's verdict and sentence reflect the gravity of Cooper’s offenses and the impact on his victims, highlighting the ongoing concern for child safety and the importance of justice in such cases.