JOHN COOPER SENTENCED IN WOLSTANTON FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Wolstanton Sexual Abuser
John Cooper, a well-known figure in the Wolstanton community and a former mayor, has been handed a prison sentence of two and a half years after being convicted of serious historic sexual offenses. Cooper, who is 80 years old, has a long-standing history of public service, having served as a Conservative councillor for May Bank for over two decades. He also held positions on Staffordshire County Council and was elected twice as the mayor of Newcastle Borough.
His conviction stems from four charges of indecent assault that he committed during the 1980s and 1990s, along with one charge of gross indecency with a child. Despite his vehement denial of these allegations, the evidence presented during the trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court proved otherwise. The court found Cooper guilty of all four counts of indecent assault, leading to his sentencing.
In addition to the prison term, Cooper will serve only half of his sentence before being eligible for release, and he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The presiding judge emphasized Cooper’s active involvement in the local community, acknowledging his contributions over the years. However, the judge also highlighted the disturbing nature of the crimes, revealing that during the 1980s and 1990s, Cooper sexually assaulted three women, all of whom continue to suffer the repercussions of these traumatic experiences.
The judge, Graeme Smith, took into account mitigating factors such as Cooper’s advanced age and health issues, stating, "Because you will find custody much harder than someone not of the same age and medical condition than you are, the best sentence I can pass is two-and-a-half years. You will serve half." Cooper’s legal team argued for a suspended sentence, citing his health concerns, and since his conviction, he has resigned from various community volunteer groups, which has led to social isolation.
The court also heard evidence revealing a darker side of Cooper’s past, including abuse of three women in earlier decades. Judge Smith remarked, "You were very active in local politics and also very active in your local community. However, during a period in the 1980s and 1990s you sexually assaulted three women. We have heard that all three victims have suffered ongoing effects from these offences."
Furthermore, the judge noted that Cooper’s physical and mental health are deteriorating, but he assessed that the risk of future offending remains very low and that Cooper’s behavior can be effectively managed within the community. The case has sent shockwaves through the Wolstanton area, where Cooper’s reputation as a dedicated public servant was once highly regarded.
His conviction stems from four charges of indecent assault that he committed during the 1980s and 1990s, along with one charge of gross indecency with a child. Despite his vehement denial of these allegations, the evidence presented during the trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court proved otherwise. The court found Cooper guilty of all four counts of indecent assault, leading to his sentencing.
In addition to the prison term, Cooper will serve only half of his sentence before being eligible for release, and he has been ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years. The presiding judge emphasized Cooper’s active involvement in the local community, acknowledging his contributions over the years. However, the judge also highlighted the disturbing nature of the crimes, revealing that during the 1980s and 1990s, Cooper sexually assaulted three women, all of whom continue to suffer the repercussions of these traumatic experiences.
The judge, Graeme Smith, took into account mitigating factors such as Cooper’s advanced age and health issues, stating, "Because you will find custody much harder than someone not of the same age and medical condition than you are, the best sentence I can pass is two-and-a-half years. You will serve half." Cooper’s legal team argued for a suspended sentence, citing his health concerns, and since his conviction, he has resigned from various community volunteer groups, which has led to social isolation.
The court also heard evidence revealing a darker side of Cooper’s past, including abuse of three women in earlier decades. Judge Smith remarked, "You were very active in local politics and also very active in your local community. However, during a period in the 1980s and 1990s you sexually assaulted three women. We have heard that all three victims have suffered ongoing effects from these offences."
Furthermore, the judge noted that Cooper’s physical and mental health are deteriorating, but he assessed that the risk of future offending remains very low and that Cooper’s behavior can be effectively managed within the community. The case has sent shockwaves through the Wolstanton area, where Cooper’s reputation as a dedicated public servant was once highly regarded.