East Yorkshire Man Jailed for 25 Years Over Decades of Child Abuse
Kenneth Cooper of Chapel Meadows, Gilberdyke, East Yorkshire, was handed a hefty 25-year prison sentence at York Crown Court on Friday, 4 March 2022. He will stay on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Victims Brave Enough to Speak Out
The nightmare began to unravel when the first victim came forward in 2017. She revealed horrific abuse dating back to the 1970s. This sparked an immediate investigation by specialist detectives.
During the inquiry, a second victim stepped forward with similar claims of abuse throughout the 1980s. Cooper denied these allegations, claiming his relationship with the first victim was consensual and began when she was 16.
Guilty on All Charges
Cooper faced six counts of raping a girl under 16 and three counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14. The jury found him guilty on all counts.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Davies praised the victims for their courage: “The abuse that Cooper subjected them to when they were young is truly sickening and has left both of them with trauma and pain they still carry today.”
She added, “Cooper’s denial and his twisted claim of a consensual relationship meant these women had to endure a week-long trial, showing the lengths abusers go to avoid justice.”
“This sentence won’t undo the damage or restore lost childhoods, but I hope it offers some justice and closure so they can move forward to happier times.”
Team Effort Brings Justice
DS Davies also thanked the many agencies involved in the long investigation. “Cooper’s crimes spanned two decades, requiring dedication and persistence from multiple teams. Thanks to their hard work, he’s finally behind bars where he belongs.”
