PAUL COOPER FROM BRIDLINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE OFFENCES IN YORK

In a case that has shocked the local community and brought to light the disturbing extent of child abuse, Paul Noel Stephen Cooper, a long-standing caretaker at Archbishop Holgate School, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous offences spanning over three decades. The court proceedings revealed that Cooper, aged 61, harbored a persistent and disturbing sexual interest in young children, which he acted upon through repeated assaults on two teenage girls.

York Crown Court heard that Cooper’s abusive actions inflicted severe trauma on his victims. The younger girl, who was between 13 and 16 years old at the time of the abuse, endured a living hell, with her life permanently scarred by the vulgar and disgusting acts committed by Cooper. The older girl, who was also a victim, continues to live in fear of him even after reaching adulthood, a testament to the lasting psychological damage caused by his predatory behavior.

Prosecutor Sarah Mallett detailed the disturbing evidence found during the police investigation. Officers seized Cooper’s personal laptop, uncovering a total of 144 illegal sexual images and videos. Among these were 22 videos and 39 pictures depicting severe abuse. Although most of the material had been deleted, some files were being automatically downloaded via software from the internet at the time of seizure, indicating a deliberate attempt to conceal his activities. The images primarily featured girls of similar age to his victims or younger, highlighting the predatory nature of his interests.

During the court hearing, Cooper’s defense lawyer, Nicholas Johnson, emphasized that there had been no allegations of misconduct during his 22-year tenure as caretaker at Archbishop Holgate School. However, Cooper’s employment was terminated in 2012 once his criminal activities came to light. The court was informed that Cooper, originally from Tang Hall before relocating to Bridlington following his arrest, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault, five sexual assaults, and 12 offences related to possession of indecent, prohibited, or extreme images and videos. Importantly, none of these offences were connected to his work at the school.

Judge Stephen Ashurst, the Recorder of York, sentenced Cooper to five years and nine months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, and he faces strict restrictions, including a ban from working with or having unsupervised contact with children. His internet usage is also subject to monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offending.

In delivering his judgment, Judge Ashurst described the case as extremely distressing, emphasizing Cooper’s lifelong sexual interest in young children. The court heard that the older girl, who was abused between the ages of 13 and 16, continues to grapple with the horrific memories of her ordeal. Meanwhile, the younger girl endured repeated abuse, even during times of personal tragedy, such as when she was grieving a bereavement.

Detective Constable Nick Lane of North Yorkshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable Persons Unit commented on the case, stating, “Paul Cooper has been targeting the most vulnerable members of society for over 30 years, and this is reflected in the comments made by His Honour Judge Ashurst and the sentence he gave him. I just hope that his victims will take some comfort from this and his admissions of the harm he’s caused and begin to rebuild their lives.”

The investigation also uncovered the extent of Cooper’s depravity through the online images he sought, which included some of the most severe forms of child abuse. His actions and the evidence presented in court paint a disturbing picture of a man who exploited his position and the innocence of children for his own gratification.

Following the case, a spokesperson for Archbishop Holgate School confirmed that Paul Cooper was employed there as a site manager from October 1, 1990, until October 31, 2012. The school expressed its shock and regret over the revelations, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding and the well-being of its students.