BRIAN COOPER FROM LONGHOPE SENTENCED IN FOREST OF DEAN FOR SEX OFFENCES BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In August 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Brian Cooper, a resident of Little London near Longhope, who was convicted of serious sexual offences after being caught in a sting operation by paedophile hunters. The incident took place in the Forest of Dean, a region known for its dense woodland and rural communities, where Cooper believed he was engaging in online conversations with underage girls.

According to court proceedings, Cooper, aged 49, had been communicating with what he thought were 13 and 14-year-old girls on the internet. However, these interactions were actually with a group of adult paedophile hunters operating undercover. The deception was revealed during the trial, leading to Cooper’s conviction and subsequent sentencing.

Judge Ian Lawrie QC, presiding over Gloucester Crown Court, sentenced Cooper to 20 months in prison. The judge expressed strong disapproval of Cooper’s actions, stating, “For the last decade or so you’ve had the opportunity to address your problems but ignored them.” The court heard that Cooper had admitted to four separate offences of attempting to engage in sexual communication with minors between August 17 and September 8 of the previous year.

Prosecutor Chloe Griggs explained that Cooper’s actions were in breach of a sexual harm prevention order previously imposed on him. She detailed that Cooper believed he was speaking with young females, specifically girls aged 13 or 14, but in reality, he was communicating with adult paedophile hunters. The court was informed that Cooper thought he was interacting with four different girls on the website Chat Hour, and all conversations were of a sexual nature.

Furthermore, the court noted that Cooper had expressed a desire to meet these girls in person. Prosecutor Griggs highlighted that Cooper had even offered to instruct the girls on sexual touching, suggesting that meeting in person would make it easier to do so. This behavior underscored the seriousness of his intentions and the calculated nature of his offending.

Historical context revealed that Cooper had previously been convicted in 2010 for internet grooming of children, receiving a three-year community order. During his arrest for those offences, he reportedly told officers that if a 13-year-old girl had offered him sex “on a plate,” he would have accepted. Despite the earlier sentence and the imposition of a sexual harm prevention order, Cooper breached this order in 2015, demonstrating a pattern of persistent offending.

Judge Lawrie described Cooper’s conduct as “calculated and persistent,” criticizing his apparent disregard for court orders and the efforts made to rehabilitate him. The judge emphasized that Cooper’s offending was deliberate and that he had squandered opportunities to address his issues. Addressing Cooper directly, the judge remarked, “It’s up to him to sort it out. He is not stupid.”

During the sentencing, Cooper’s legal representative, Clare Fear, argued that a further three-year period of supervision and support might be more effective than a short prison sentence. However, the judge dismissed this, citing Cooper’s history of ignoring court orders and the need for a custodial sentence. “Despite the efforts of the court on not one but two occasions, he’s ignored it,” the judge stated.

Judge Lawrie also expressed concern about Cooper’s personal life, noting, “He’s married. Goodness knows what his wife thinks.” The court made it clear that Cooper’s actions had serious implications for his family and community.

In addition to the 20-month immediate jail term, Cooper was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. These measures are intended to monitor and restrict his activities to prevent further harm. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating online sexual offences and highlights the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts in rural areas like Longhope and the Forest of Dean.