ANDREW CUSS FROM CINDERFORD AND GLOUCESTER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND FACEBOOK BREACHES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Cinderford and Gloucester, Andrew Cuss, a man with a troubling history of sexual offences, has been convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes involving a young boy and subsequent breaches of court orders. The details of his criminal activities reveal a disturbing pattern of grooming, exploitation, and defiance of legal restrictions.

In July 2015, Cuss, aged 38 and residing at Woodford Court in Gloucester, was found guilty by a jury of three counts of indecent assault and one count of buggery committed against a boy from Northamptonshire. The court heard that Cuss had manipulated the young victim into engaging in depraved sexual acts, motivated by feelings of isolation and boredom. The sentencing took place at Northampton Crown Court, where Recorder Paul Bleasdale QC handed down a nine-year prison sentence. However, Cuss will be eligible for parole after serving approximately six years, as he can apply for early release after two-thirds of his sentence.

During the sentencing, Mr. Bleasdale expressed his concern over the grooming process, stating, “I am satisfied you went about grooming (the victim) for sexual activities by encouraging him in activities he did not wish to participate in. There was an element of coercion.” The judge also acknowledged the emotional toll on the victim, describing the trial as a “very upsetting experience” and noting that the crimes were “difficult to come to terms with.”

In mitigation, Cuss’s legal representative, Jane Rowley, highlighted his limited intellectual capacity and social isolation. She emphasized that Cuss was “not malicious, vindictive or evil,” and suggested that his actions stemmed from personal struggles with loneliness and boredom. Mrs. Rowley further stated that Cuss had recognized the severity of his issues and expressed a willingness to seek help during his time in prison. It was also revealed that Cuss was already on the Sex Offenders’ Register due to previous offences involving the downloading of child abuse images in 2010. As part of his sentence, he will also be subject to an indefinite Sexual Prevention Order to prevent further offences.

Adding to his criminal record, Cuss’s history includes a breach of court orders in March 2012. At that time, he was found to have posted an astonishing 340,000 messages on Facebook, despite being under strict restrictions. Cuss, then 34 and living on Victoria Street in Tredworth, had previously narrowly avoided jail in 2010 after admitting to downloading child abuse videos from the internet. His breach involved visiting Gloucester library regularly between April and November 2011, where he used two mobile phones and borrowed another sex offender’s library card to access Facebook. Prosecutor Sharon Green detailed that Cuss was prohibited from using the internet for social networking sites but was caught accessing Facebook during police checks. The police confirmed that he spent up to four hours daily at the library, posting an alarming volume of messages.

During the hearing, Cuss’s defense solicitor, David Brown, explained that his client was “on his own, bored and depressed,” and that his online activity was a result of giving in to temptation. He assured the court that there was no evidence of contact with children or any improper activity involving minors. The history of Cuss’s offences, including the downloading of child abuse videos, underscores a troubling pattern of behavior that authorities continue to monitor closely. His case remains a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in managing sex offenders and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.