MARK COCKROFT FROM LIVERSEDGE JAILED FOR RAPE COMMITTED AS A SCHOOLBOY IN LEEDS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Liversedge and the wider Leeds area, Mark Cockroft, aged 32, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of a serious historic offence involving a young girl. The incident, which took place many years ago, was brought to light during a trial at Leeds Crown Court, where a jury found Cockroft guilty of the rape. Additionally, he admitted to three counts of indecent assault on the same girl, which occurred during their youth.

During the proceedings, Kate Batty, representing Cockroft, emphasized that her client’s admission of the offences demonstrated genuine remorse. She also highlighted that Cockroft had disclosed in his pre-sentence report that he himself had been subjected to abuse as a child. This revelation was considered relevant by the court, as it provided context for his actions at a young age. The probation service expressed confidence that they could work with Cockroft to address his past and believed that such intervention would serve the public interest in the long term.

Judge Neil Clark, presiding over the case, ordered Cockroft to register as a sex offender for life and sentenced him to four years in prison. The judge pointed out that at the time of the offences, Cockroft was no older than 14 years, while the girl involved was approximately six years younger. Cockroft had accepted that he forced the girl to perform oral sex but maintained his innocence regarding the charge of rape during the trial.

In his remarks, Judge Clark acknowledged the complexity of sentencing in cases involving offences committed many years ago, especially when the accused was a child at the time. He stated, “As a child, some desire or lust within you meant you caused her to do things she didn’t want,” reflecting on the nature of the offences. The judge also noted that Cockroft had since managed to build a seemingly normal life and was considered to be of “positive good character” since the incidents.

Despite this, the court emphasized the seriousness of the crimes committed during his youth and the importance of justice for the victim. The sentencing underscores the ongoing efforts of the legal system to address historic sexual offences, regardless of the passage of time or the offender’s subsequent conduct.