LEONARD COTTRELL FROM HEALD GREEN AND WINSFORD JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN CHESTER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local communities of Heald Green and Winsford, Leonard Cottrell, a man in his late twenties at the time of the offences, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of historic sexual offences committed decades ago.

Cottrell, who was previously employed as a partner at Winsford Tool Hire, appeared before Chester Crown Court on a recent Friday to face the consequences of his actions. Now residing on Sudbury Drive in Heald Green, he showed no signs of remorse during the proceedings, even as the court heard harrowing statements from his victims.

One of the victims, whose statement was read aloud in court, recounted how Cottrell’s assault had left her with persistent flashbacks, severely impacting her mental health and personal relationships. She revealed that the abuse had occurred when she was approximately six years old. The court was told that Cottrell had indecently assaulted her during that time, and notably, he had laughed after the act was completed, a detail that added to the distress of her testimony.

In her emotional statement, she expressed the profound and lasting effects of the abuse, stating, “I cannot think of any area of my life not affected, and at times it felt like life was too hard to carry on. You got on with your life as if nothing had happened. I had to explain to my children what had happened, and to see the impact this has had on their lives has made me feel guilty and responsible.”

A second victim, also from Winsford and assaulted in the 1970s when she was just eight years old, had her statement read by prosecutor Nicholas Williams. She shared that she initially learned to live with what had happened, but her perspective changed after hearing about the other victim’s experiences. The revelation left her feeling confused and struggling to process her emotions, highlighting the profound impact of Cottrell’s actions across multiple decades.

The court was also informed that Cottrell had no prior criminal convictions, which was noted by the prosecution. Defense lawyer Myles Wilson offered limited mitigation, describing Cottrell as a hardworking individual who supported local sports teams by providing equipment, though this did little to sway the court’s view.

Judge Stephen Everett, presiding over the case, acknowledged the limitations of the legal powers available for sentencing given the offences occurred in the 1970s. He commended the bravery of the victims for their courage in facing Cottrell and sharing their stories. The judge stated, “Your victims showed huge courage to face you across the courtroom and read out their statements, detailing what you did and how it affected them. You ruined their lives and thought that you could brush it under the carpet while getting on with yours. You did terrible things and you must now pay for them.”

As a result, Cottrell was sentenced to nine years and three months in immediate imprisonment. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender and was issued a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm. The case underscores the importance of justice for victims of historic abuse and highlights the enduring impact such crimes have on individuals and their families.