NEIL COOK, CONVICTED PAEDOPHILE FROM WASHINGTON, SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENCES AND REGISTER BREACHES

In August 2017, Neil Paul Cook, a 34-year-old convicted sex offender from Lanercost, Glebe, Washington, was sentenced after repeatedly failing to comply with the Sex Offenders’ Register. Cook had previously been convicted at Newcastle Crown Court on January 14, 2008, for sexual activity involving penetration of a female under 16, resulting in a 10-year registration order.

In July, Cook pleaded guilty at Sunderland magistrates to failing to notify police of his address, a requirement of his release conditions. The breach occurred because Cook did not sign the register by the mandated date of May 28, despite being aware of the requirement. The court was told he was arrested on June 30, during which he claimed he believed he was due to sign in November. Prosecutor Omar Ahmad stated, “This defendant was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a sexual conviction. One requirement is to notify police of their details every 12 months, even if there is no change to those details. Cook was required to sign on by May 28, which he failed to do, which is a breach of the register.”

Cook’s history includes 28 previous convictions for 39 offences, with four prior breaches of the Sex Offenders’ Register in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Prosecutor Ahmad highlighted, “That he has several breaches on his record is clearly an aggravating factor.”

Defence solicitor Paul McAlindon explained that Cook had moved addresses in May 2016, which shifted his registration deadline to May, but emphasized that there had been no change in circumstances and suggested that the notification requirements might end that year. McAlindon remarked, “He’s been at the address given to the court for a number of years now. He’s just got the dates muddled up. He does have four previous breaches dealt with by community orders and a suspended sentence. Clearly his previous failure to comply will be of some concern to the court.”

District Judge Roger Elsey handed down a 12-month community order, including a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Cook was also ordered to pay £85 in costs and an £85 surcharge to support victim services.