DAMIAN COCHRANE OF BARTON-UPON-HUMBER GUILTY OF CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN GLASGOW

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community, Damian Cochrane, a man previously residing in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, has been convicted of multiple child sex offences committed in Glasgow. The lengthy and disturbing trial revealed the extent of his abuse against three young victims, including his own niece, spanning over a decade.

Kate Davenport, now 40 years old, courageously broke her silence to share her traumatic experiences and to encourage other victims to come forward. She described her ordeal, which began when she was just four years old, at her grandfather’s house in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow. According to her account, her abuser, her uncle Damian Cochrane, started his assault in a small red and yellow Wendy house tent, where he first touched her. She recalls sitting cross-legged inside the tent when he entered and began his abuse, marking the beginning of a decade-long nightmare.

Kate detailed how Cochrane’s abuse extended beyond the Wendy house, often taking place in his bedroom or the family’s living room. She described a disturbing attempt by him to treat her like a romantic partner, including kissing her, playing love songs, and telling her she was his favorite niece. He also claimed he would save her because of her troubled family background. Kate expressed her confusion and embarrassment at these acts, feeling frozen and overwhelmed by horror, especially knowing that her abuser was her own uncle.

She recounted two specific instances of rape, one in his bedroom and another on the sofa, where he covered her mouth to silence her. She suffered physical injuries, though she never sought medical help at the time, which left her with scars that affected her later life, including her experience of childbirth. Her silence was driven by fear and a lack of anyone she could confide in during her childhood.

Damian Cochrane, now 50, began his abusive behavior towards Kate when he was just 14 years old, starting in 1981. His first known rape of her occurred when she was approximately nine. After enduring years of trauma and suffering from PTSD, Kate finally reported her uncle to the police in 2013. This led to the emergence of three other victims who also came forward, revealing that Cochrane had abused them as well.

The trial took place at the High Court in Glasgow last month, culminating in a guilty verdict on October 31, Halloween—a date Kate found symbolically fitting given the nature of the crimes. Cochrane was convicted of five child sex offences, including four counts of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices against three children, and one count of rape. The offences spanned from 1981 to 1990, all occurring within Glasgow.

Throughout the trial, Kate faced immense emotional distress. She described feeling overwhelmed with nerves, anxiety, and fear, especially given that Cochrane was out on bail and walking freely around the court building. She feared an attack from him and had received threats from others involved in the case. Her anxiety culminated in a full-blown panic attack while in the witness room, but she managed to sit through the proceedings and watched the jury deliver their guilty verdict.

Reflecting on her ordeal, Kate expressed her disdain for her abuser, calling him “evil extraordinaire” and noting the eerie coincidence of his conviction on Halloween. She also revealed her suspicion that Cochrane had moved to England after ceasing his abuse in Glasgow, suggesting there may be other victims who have yet to come forward.

Kate urged others who have suffered similar abuse to be brave and report their experiences to the police. She emphasized that justice is possible regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred, reassuring victims that they will be believed. Her message was clear: no one should remain silent, and reporting abuse can lead to justice.

Damian Cochrane, who had been living in Barton-upon-Humber, Lincolnshire, is scheduled to be sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow on November 28. The community and victims alike await the final judgment, which will determine his future imprisonment for the heinous crimes committed in Glasgow decades ago.