DAVID COOK FROM WEST KNIGHTON SENTENCED TO 19 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN DORCHESTER

In a significant case that has shocked the local community, David Neil Cook, a 62-year-old resident of West Knighton, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of 19 years after being convicted of serious child sex offences. The conviction stems from a trial held at Winchester Crown Court, where the jury found Cook guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse of a young female victim.

According to court records, the offences took place over a span of two years, from April 1991 to April 1993. During this period, Cook was accused of committing two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child. The victim, whose identity remains protected, first came forward to police in 2019, revealing details of the abuse that had occurred decades earlier. Her disclosure prompted a police investigation, leading to Cook’s arrest and subsequent charges.

At the time of his arrest, Cook was residing at Glebe Way in West Knighton. He initially pleaded not guilty during his appearance at Bournemouth Crown Court last year. However, the case was later transferred to Winchester Crown Court for trial, where the evidence presented resulted in a guilty verdict on all four charges in October of the previous year. The jury’s decision was based on the testimonies and evidence provided during the trial, which confirmed Cook’s involvement in the offences.

Following his conviction, Cook was brought back to Winchester Crown Court for sentencing. The presiding judge sentenced him to a total of 19 years in prison, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed. The lengthy sentence underscores the severity with which the court views child sexual abuse and serves as a reminder of the importance of justice for victims of such heinous acts.