GRAEME COX OF BLETCHLEY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES IN MILTON KEYNES AND ST ALBANS

In October 2017, Graeme Cox, a 48-year-old resident of Mersey Close in Bletchley, was handed a severe sentence at Aylesbury Crown Court after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences. The court sentenced Cox to an indeterminate life imprisonment, with a minimum custodial term of ten years and ten months, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the threat he posed to the community.

The offences for which Cox was convicted occurred in Milton Keynes between March and April of that year. He had engaged in a manipulative and predatory relationship with a 14-year-old girl, persuading her to begin a sexual relationship with him. Over the course of this relationship, Cox subjected her to a series of sexual and physical assaults, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse. The court heard that Cox’s actions included inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity and physically assaulting her, actions that caused significant harm and trauma.

Further investigations revealed that Cox, who was already a registered sex offender, had a history of sexual offences. He had been released from prison in September 2015 after serving time for previous sexual crimes. Despite being under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, Cox continued to pose a serious risk to children and young teenagers. Authorities uncovered a collection of indecent images of children stored on his laptop, adding to the evidence of his ongoing predatory behavior.

His criminal record is extensive. Cox previously pleaded guilty to 32 child abuse charges at St Albans Crown Court, which included allegations of grooming young girls as young as 12, and three counts of rape. His past offences involved online grooming, where he befriended young girls through internet chat rooms, then arranged to meet them in person for sexual acts. His crimes came to light after he boasted about his actions in an online chat room, even sending explicit photographs to a man who later contacted the police. When authorities raided his home, they discovered nearly 1,000 videos depicting depraved abuse, which Judge Michael Baker QC described as “disgusting.”

Among his victims was a 12-year-old girl whom Cox had bought mobile phone credit for, enabling him to communicate with her. He then lured her to a derelict garage, where he persuaded her to perform a sexual act on him, filming the act on his mobile phone. Cox’s threats and intimidation tactics continued to control his victims, including threatening to send men to their homes if they refused to comply. On one occasion, he raped a girl in the back of his green Jaguar after threatening her with harm.

Graeme Cox’s criminal conduct was exposed through the bravery of a friend of one of his victims, who expressed concerns about the relationship. This led to his arrest on April 29. Detective Constable Miranda Moore, who led the investigation, emphasized the importance of the victim’s friend in ensuring Cox was brought to justice. She stated, “Had it not been for the bravery of the victim’s friend in speaking out about her concerns, a predatory sexual offender may have evaded justice and exposed other children to serious harm. Cox had already been imprisoned for serious offences against children and, upon release, his behavior and actions continued. He demonstrated he will go to any means to exploit children for his own sexual gratification. He is a serious danger to the community.”

In a separate case dating back to January 2009, Cox, then aged 39 and residing in Barton Way, Rickmansworth, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for similar predatory behaviour. He had used online chat rooms to groom young girls, some as young as 12, before meeting them in person and assaulting them. His crimes included making, distributing, and possessing indecent images of children, and he admitted to a series of offences involving at least three victims. His criminal activities were uncovered after he boasted about his actions in an internet chat room, sending explicit photographs to a man who reported him to the authorities. Police raids uncovered nearly 1,000 videos of abuse, which Judge Baker described as “disgusting.”

One of Cox’s victims, a 12-year-old girl, was lured into a meeting after Cox bought her mobile phone credit. He then drove her to a derelict garage, where he persuaded her to perform a sexual act, which he recorded. When she refused a second meeting, Cox threatened her with harm, leading to her being raped in the back of his vehicle. Cox’s cold and emotionless demeanor in court reflected the seriousness of his crimes. Judge Baker warned that Cox posed a significant risk to young girls and that he had used a combination of bribery, threats, and manipulation to exploit his victims. Detective Inspector Paul Doran, who led the investigation, described Cox as a “dangerous and prolific offender” who ruthlessly groomed and exploited vulnerable girls for his own gratification, showing no regard for the harm caused.

Graeme Cox’s sentencing underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and bring predators to justice. His case highlights the importance of vigilance and community involvement in protecting children from such heinous crimes.