GARY COOKSON FROM CHESTERTON SENTENCED FOR BREACHING SEX OFFENDER ORDERS IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

Gary Cookson, a convicted sex offender residing in Chesterton, has been sentenced to prison after a series of serious breaches of court orders and regulations designed to monitor and restrict his activities. The court heard that Cookson, who has a troubling past involving child sex abuse images, manipulated his way into being left alone with a young child, a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, under circumstances that raised significant concerns about his conduct and adherence to legal restrictions.

According to the proceedings at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Cookson’s girlfriend left him alone with her son, unaware of his criminal background. During this time, Cookson’s actions included drying off and dressing the toddler, which was a clear violation of the court-imposed Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that restricts his contact with minors. The court emphasized that this breach was particularly serious because it involved direct contact with a vulnerable child, and it occurred despite the restrictions placed on him.

The court also highlighted that Cookson had failed to comply with multiple notification requirements associated with his status as a registered sex offender. Between January 1 and February 12, 2024, he entered into a new relationship without informing the police, which was a direct violation of the conditions he was under. Furthermore, on February 15, he accessed dating apps, including Snapchat, which he was explicitly banned from using. His mobile phone was subsequently seized, and authorities found the Snapchat application installed on his device. However, Cookson did not disclose his Snapchat username to the police, breaching his legal obligations.

Additional breaches included his failure to notify authorities that he was staying in a residence with a 17-year-old for over 12 hours. He also deleted a message from TikTok, further concealing his activities. The court noted that Cookson deliberately concealed a mobile phone, violating the terms of his SHPO and demonstrating a pattern of manipulative behavior aimed at evading detection.

During the hearing, Rashad Mohammed, representing Cookson, described his client as feeling isolated and lonely, which he claimed contributed to his decision to activate a Snapchat account. Mohammed stated that Cookson’s actions spiraled out of control and that there was no evidence of any material harm caused by his conduct. He emphasized that Cookson had shown immaturity and failed to recognize the seriousness of the court’s restrictions, expressing remorse for his actions.

Cookson has been in custody since October 24, 2023, serving just over ten months. The judge, Recorder Robert Smith, delivered a stern warning about the gravity of Cookson’s breaches. He pointed out that Cookson’s primary sexual interest appeared to be in female children and that his persistence in flouting the rules demonstrated a manipulative attempt to gain trust within a family environment.

In his sentencing remarks, the judge underscored the significant risk of harm posed by Cookson’s behavior, especially given his conduct involving the young child. He emphasized that Cookson’s actions were a serious breach of trust and court orders, and he warned that further violations could result in a prison sentence. The court also ordered the seizure and deprivation of devices used by Cookson, including mobile phones, to prevent further breaches.

Cookson pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and four counts of failing to comply with the notification requirements of the sex offenders register. He was subsequently sentenced to two and a half years in prison. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring convicted sex offenders and the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable individuals in the community.