STUART COOPER SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS IN STOKE-ON-TRENT FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

A man named Stuart Cooper, aged 57, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of 19 years after being convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl in Stoke-on-Trent. The court proceedings revealed that Cooper was found guilty of raping the girl and also of showing her videos depicting child abuse, actions that have left a lasting impact on the victim.

Details of the case show that social services initially became aware of the abuse when the young girl, who was under the age of 10, confided in her teachers about the inappropriate conduct. Despite this early disclosure, authorities failed to take immediate action at the time, which allowed Cooper—who had a prior conviction for child sex offences—to continue his offending behavior. It was only in 2019 that Cooper was arrested, following an incident where one of the girl’s friends reported suspicious behavior to a teacher, leading to his apprehension.

The victim’s statement during the trial painted a disturbing picture of the emotional toll inflicted by Cooper’s actions. She described feeling scared and different from her peers, highlighting the long-lasting trauma caused by the abuse. The girl also expressed relief that her teachers believed her, which was a crucial step in her journey toward justice.

Cooper’s criminal history includes a previous incarceration in 1992 for aggravated burglary and attempted rape of a 13-year-old girl, indicating a pattern of predatory behavior. During the recent court case, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of raping a child under 13, two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13, and two counts of assault by penetration.

His legal representative, Saleema Mahmood, stated that Cooper was 'disgusted by his behaviour' and had engaged with mental health services while in prison. She noted that he had built a good rapport with staff, serving as a helper and listener, which suggests some level of remorse or at least an attempt at rehabilitation.

Judge David Fletcher sentenced Cooper to 19 years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge remarked, 'You knew she had reported you for behaviour of this type. You knew you had avoided any action being taken against you. Yet, despite that very clear warning, you continued to abuse her.' The court also ordered that Cooper will serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole. If released, he will remain on licence for the remainder of his sentence plus an additional year, and he will be registered as a sex offender for life.

Staff from Staffordshire Police’s Child Protection and Exploitation Team expressed satisfaction with the verdict. Detective Constable Claire Mace stated, 'I am happy with the sentence that Cooper has been handed and we hope that it serves as a reminder that the force will take all of the necessary steps to bring perpetrators of serious crime to justice.' She further urged victims or anyone suspecting abuse to report their concerns to the police or contact the charity Crimestoppers, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from sexual exploitation and abuse.

This case highlights the critical need for prompt action and persistent vigilance in safeguarding children from predators like Stuart Cooper, whose actions have caused irreparable harm to a young victim in Stoke-on-Trent.