MICHAEL COTTON

COLCHESTER MAN SENTENCED FOR FILMING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMEN

Michael Cotton, a 55-year-old from Romford Close, Colchester, was convicted on two charges of sexual assault after standing trial before a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court in July.

The court heard that Cotton filmed himself committing these offenses in 2018.

During the sentencing hearing, it was revealed that he targeted women in their sleep after intoxicating them at a house party and lied to absolve himself of blame by spinning a detailed but false narrative.

One victim told the court she woke up to find Cotton sexually assaulting her, while another claimed she awoke in a soundproof room without clothes.

The prosecutor, Julie Whitby, stated that Cotton had taken close-up videos of his acts.

Victims shared the emotional toll the assaults had taken, with one describing her experience as 'the hardest thing she had to do in her life' and another stating she would suffer panic attacks and had considered moving away.

Cotton claimed the encounters were consensual, but the judge dismissed this, calling it a 'complete lie' and criticizing his lack of empathy.

The judge sentenced Cotton to an extended prison term of 15 years and ordered him to sign a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.