SCOTT CANNON FROM COVENTRY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TWO YOUNG GIRLS

A man from Coventry, Scott Cannon, has been formally sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls. The sentencing took place at Warwick Crown Court, where Cannon, aged 36, pleaded guilty to the charges against him. The first incident involved Cannon sexually touching a 12-year-old girl in August 2017. Despite this initial conviction, Cannon continued his offending behavior over the subsequent years, ultimately abusing a second girl between January 2020 and July 2022.

One of Cannon’s victims, who has been granted lifelong anonymity to protect her identity, delivered an emotional statement during the sentencing hearing. She described the profound and lasting impact of the abuse, stating that it left her feeling 'broken.' Despite her suffering, she expressed relief that Cannon had finally been brought to justice. In her powerful words, she said: “You took away my childhood, you stripped my innocence, you took advantage knowing how vulnerable I was. You broke me, but I am still standing here today as I am not a scared 12-year-old girl anymore.”

She went on to reveal the long-term emotional scars left by Cannon’s actions, recounting how she spent years believing she was disgusting and blaming herself for what happened. “I spent years completely hating my existence,” she explained, “and blaming myself.” The victim made it clear that she would never forgive Cannon, emphasizing the deep psychological wounds inflicted upon her. “When I should have been worried about my homework, I was worried about you forcing your selfish wants and needs onto me,” she added. “No matter how long you serve, you will never experience or feel anything compared to what I had to feel. No amount of time will take away my trauma.”

On Thursday, March 20, Cannon was sentenced to five years and three months in prison. In addition to his incarceration, he was placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which is designed to restrict his contact with potential victims and monitor his behavior moving forward. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his crimes and the lasting harm caused to his victims.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police issued a statement emphasizing the importance of reporting sexual offenses, regardless of when they occurred. The officer said: “You can report a sexual assault or rape that happened at any time to us, even if it was months, years or decades ago. We take every report seriously, no matter how much time has passed.” The police also acknowledged that many survivors need time to come forward and that it is common for victims to take years to realize that what happened to them was a crime. They assured the public that law enforcement agencies are committed to gathering evidence and building cases, respecting the wishes of victims throughout the process.