SWINDON SEX ATTACKER DUBBED VOODOO MAN JAILED FOR 15 YEARS
SEX attacker Darryl Cobb, dubbed Voodoo Man after holding his victim in a black magic grip for two decades, has been jailed for 15 years.Cobb perpetrated a series of serious sexual assaults on the same woman from when she was aged six in 1978 until January 1999, when she was 26.
He told her he would use his occult powers if she protested, Swindon Crown Court was told.
But the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, finally told police of Cobb's depraved activities.
Cobb, 56, of Beatrice Street, Swindon, denied 25 charges of sexual abuse.
After just over eight hours' deliberation a jury of nine men and three women found him guilty by a 10-2 majority of 24 offences, acquitting him of just one.
Jailing an inexpressive Cobb, Judge Simon Darwall-Smith told him: It is impossible to imagine the misery that you must have caused her, even at a time when she was married and pregnant.
The methods that you employed to ensure that she remained in your power and control, together with your acts, make this one of the very worst cases of its kind.
Cobb was convicted of two counts of indecency with a child, five indecent assaults, 13 other series sex offences and four rapes.
The court heard Cobb admitted having a stash of sex aids and pornography when they carried out a detailed search of his bedsit.
Detectives discovered a cat-o'-nine tails, a stick with a hook on the end, a video collection and books on the occult and tarot, the jury heard.
After sentencing, Detective Constable Andy Shields, 32, who has been with Swindon CID for three years, said he was delighted with the outcome.
My initial reaction is one of relief and justice for the victim in the case, he said.
She has been through years of trauma and upset and pain.
For her to come forward the way she did was courageous to say the least.
She feels the process has exorcised a ghost.
For telling her story and for people to listen to her made all the pain and heartache worthwhile and makes her future more positive.
DC Shields said the assaults started as improper touching and progressed to full blown sexual intercourse.
Cobb would beat her if she protested.
He said: He was also known as voodoo man and it was rumoured around town that he was practiced in occult and black magic.
He once said he could give a boy nightmares, and the boy claimed he had them.
Cobb was raised in India and educated by the Irish Christian Brothers who, said DC Shields, have been investigated in child abuse scandals worldwide.
Having come to the UK he arrived in Swindon in the 1960s having seeing various rituals carried out in India designed to dispel evil spirits.
But, thanks to the revelations, any powers Cobb claims to possess will now be confined to a prison cell for at least ten years and he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
DC Shields added: If it can send a message it says victims of abuse can come to Swindon police, and be listened to, and we will ensure that they receive all the support they need.
