ROBERT COLE FROM CHIPPENHAM JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST TEEN DAUGHTER
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Chippenham, Robert Cole, aged 42, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in illegal sexual activities with his teenage daughter, Justine Henley.The incident came to light after a series of events that revealed a deeply troubling relationship between the father and daughter, which culminated in criminal acts that have left lasting scars.
According to court records, Robert Cole and his daughter, who was 19 at the time, were reunited in 2018, two years after her initial removal from his care.
Her early life was marked by instability; she was taken from Cole’s custody as a child and placed first with her grandparents before moving through various foster homes.
Her struggles included being bullied at school and suffering from depression, which made her vulnerable and seeking connection with her biological father.
It was during this period of vulnerability that Cole and Henley rekindled their relationship.
The court heard that the two initially bonded well, but this relationship soon took a dark turn.
The situation escalated when Henley’s foster mother became concerned after the teen asked whether it was illegal to have sex with a family member.
This prompted her to contact the police.
Law enforcement officials responded swiftly.
A police constable visited Cole’s residence in Chippenham, where he warned both Cole and Henley that incest was a criminal offense.
Despite these warnings, the inappropriate relationship continued.
Cole’s wife, who had been married to him for 17 years, also sensed the growing closeness between her husband and his daughter and warned him to stop.
The situation reached a critical point on December 20, 2019, which was Henley’s 19th birthday.
On that day, Cole and Henley attempted to have sex for the first time.
Their illicit encounter was captured on CCTV footage at Cole’s home, providing concrete evidence of their actions.
Further evidence was revealed through text messages, in which Cole expressed his intentions to leave his wife and even sent Henley a picture of an engagement ring, indicating his desire to pursue a future with her.
Prosecutor Rob Welling described Henley as a vulnerable individual.
She had endured a difficult childhood, being passed from family to family, and was significantly overweight, which contributed to her being bullied at school.
Her mental health struggles and her history of being exploited made her particularly susceptible to Cole’s advances.
Judge Jason Taylor QC addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of Cole’s actions.
He stated that Cole, formerly of Hill Rise, Chippenham, and Henley, of Hilperton, had pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with an adult relative.
The judge sentenced Cole to 18 months in prison, highlighting the seriousness of his breach of trust and the exploitation of his daughter’s vulnerabilities.
The judge remarked that while both Cole and Henley stood before the court, their circumstances were vastly different.
He underscored that Cole, as an adult, should have protected his daughter from harm, not preyed upon her.
Furthermore, the judge expressed concern about the long-term psychological impact on Henley.
He stated that she would likely suffer enduring emotional damage, which could persist for years or even a lifetime.
The court also imposed a 12-month community order on Henley, requiring her to complete 60 hours of unpaid work and attend 24 days of rehabilitation activities, aiming to support her recovery from this traumatic experience.
