KNOTT END PAEDOPHILE GARY COOKSON JAILED FOR ATTACK ON NINE-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Knott End, Gary Cookson, a 38-year-old man with a troubling history, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a serious sexual assault on a nine-year-old girl. The conviction follows a detailed trial at Preston Crown Court, where Cookson was found guilty of sexual assault and possession of indecent and extreme images involving children and animals.

During the court proceedings, the victim’s father, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, delivered an emotional and heartbreaking victim impact statement. He described the profound pain and devastation caused by the abuse inflicted upon his young daughter by a family friend. The father recounted the anguish of waiting in silence, knowing that his children would soon be subjected to police questioning and accusations, which added to the trauma of the situation. He expressed his feelings of helplessness and guilt, lamenting that he was unable to protect his children from Cookson’s predatory actions.

Gary Cookson, a former Highways Officer employed by Lancashire County Council, was cleared of multiple allegations of abusing the girl over several years. However, the court found him guilty of a serious sexual assault that occurred in Knott End. The prosecution revealed that a search of Cookson’s residence on Grasmere Road uncovered computer equipment containing images of child abuse and a dog, highlighting the extent of his possession of illegal material. Prosecutor Richard Haworth also disclosed that Cookson had a prior conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16 when he was 25 years old.

Defense lawyer Chris Hudson described Cookson as an “inherently decent but flawed” individual, suggesting that his consumption of criminally inappropriate material was driven by loneliness. Hudson argued that Cookson’s moral compass had been compromised, leading to the assault on the young girl. The court was also informed that the offenses took place in the presence of the girl’s mother, with the judge, Stuart Baker, condemning the act as brazen and noting the girl’s embarrassment and confusion at the time.

Following his arrest, authorities conducted a thorough search of Cookson’s home, which revealed disturbing images involving children as young as five years old, as well as a dog. The court heard that Cookson’s criminal behavior spanned from May 11, 2011, to July 2015, with multiple charges including making indecent images of children, possessing such images, and possessing extreme pornography. The victim, a young girl whose identity remains protected by law, was too young to comprehend the full extent of what was happening at the time.

The victim’s father expressed a mixture of guilt and hope, stating that he and his wife had become more protective and restricted their children’s activities, including playing outside and accessing the internet. He conveyed a deep sense of loss, emphasizing that the trauma inflicted by Cookson would stay with his family forever. He expressed a desire for his children to eventually forget the ordeal, though he admitted that the pain would never fully fade. His words underscored the lasting impact of such heinous crimes on victims and their families.

Detective Constable Ian Wright from the Lancashire Police Public Protection Unit commented on the case, describing Cookson as a “dangerous individual” and welcoming the lengthy sentence. Wright condemned the possession of vile images and the physical abuse of a young child, calling such acts “frankly disgusting” and emphasizing the importance of justice in protecting vulnerable victims from predators like Cookson.