KENNETH COOPER FROM GILBERDYKE SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR ABUSE OF TWO GIRLS IN EAST YORKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the community of Gilberdyke and the wider East Yorkshire region, Kenneth Cooper has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for heinous crimes committed against two young girls over several decades. The lengthy legal process culminated in a conviction at York Crown Court, where a jury found Cooper guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of minors.

Cooper, now aged 82 and residing at Chapel Meadows in Gilberdyke near Goole, faced serious allegations that spanned from the 1970s through to recent years. He was accused of raping one girl under the age of 16 and indecently assaulting another girl under 14. Despite his denials, the evidence presented during the trial proved overwhelming, leading to his conviction on all counts.

During the trial, Cooper attempted to justify his actions by claiming that one of his victims had consented to their sexual encounters, asserting that they had slept together from her sixteenth birthday. He also denied any abuse towards the second victim, who later came forward to testify against him. Both women, now adults, endured the trauma of reliving their experiences in court, a process that was described as emotionally taxing and deeply painful.

Detective Sergeant Hannah Davies, the lead investigator from North Yorkshire Police, publicly commended the bravery of the victims. She stated, “I commend both victims for their bravery in coming forward and making a report to police and reliving a truly horrendous period in their lives. The abuse that Cooper subjected them to when they were young girls is truly sickening and has left both of them with trauma and pain that they are still dealing with to this day.”

She further emphasized the importance of justice, saying, “The fact that Cooper denied the abuse he committed against one victim and claimed the abuse he subjected the other victim to was a consensual relationship, just shows the depths abusers will go to try and get away with their depraved behaviour. The sentence handed to Cooper will never bring back the childhoods that he stole from these women. However, I hope it provides some sense of justice being delivered and closure, so they can both move on to happier times.”

It was revealed that Cooper’s criminal activities began in the 1970s, but the victims did not speak out for many years. The first girl contacted police in 2017, which initiated the investigation that ultimately led to his conviction. During the course of the inquiry, detectives uncovered evidence that Cooper was not a perpetrator of abuse against only one girl. They spoke to the second woman, who confirmed that he had also harmed her.

Authorities highlighted the collaborative effort involved in bringing Cooper to justice. Detective Sergeant Davies acknowledged the role of various agencies, stating, “Due to the fact that Cooper’s crimes extended over two decades, a number of agencies have played a key role in bringing about this outcome. I thank them all for their diligence, hard work and persistence that has resulted in putting Cooper where he deserves to be, behind bars.”

Following his sentencing, Cooper will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure that aims to protect the community from further harm. The case serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of childhood abuse and the importance of perseverance in seeking justice for victims who often suffer in silence for years.