ROBERT COOK'S REIGN OF TERROR IN GUISTBOROUGH AND MIDDLESBROUGH ENDS WITH PRISON SENTENCE

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Guisborough and Middlesbrough, Robert Cook, a 75-year-old convicted sex offender, has once again found himself behind bars after breaching strict court orders designed to protect children. Cook, who has a long and troubling history of sexual offenses, was recently recalled to prison for violating a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that explicitly prohibited him from allowing children under the age of 16 into his residence.

The background of this case is deeply troubling. In 2008, Cook was sentenced to a minimum of two-and-a-half years in prison after being convicted of sexually assaulting an eight-year-old girl at his Middlesbrough home. His crimes were severe enough to warrant an indefinite imprisonment term, and he was also subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which barred him from having children in his home or allowing minors into his property.

Despite these legal restrictions, Cook’s recent actions have demonstrated a blatant disregard for the court’s orders. According to reports from Teesside Crown Court, Cook was found to have had children in his Guisborough flat on multiple occasions, specifically on September 28 and 30, as well as October 5, 6, and 7 of the previous year. These visits were supervised by adults, and CCTV footage captured the incidents, revealing that two children stayed in his home for as long as 71 minutes during one visit. Prosecutor Emma Atkinson emphasized that the adults present during these visits refused to cooperate with police, declining to provide statements about the events.

Cook, who previously resided on The Crescent in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, admitted to six breaches of the SOPO, which could have resulted in a sentence of up to four and a half years. His breaches led to the revocation of his license from the 2008 crimes, and he was recalled to serve more of his original indefinite sentence. Earlier, in November of the previous year, Cook had received a community order after a similar breach involving a child in his home, where he attempted to prevent two adults from bringing a girl into his residence. The court was informed that Cook had tried to stop the adults from entering with the child, but CCTV footage proved otherwise.

During the 2008 trial, Cook was described as a manipulative individual who used his influence over the child’s family to gain access to her. Judge Peter Bowers sentenced him to an indefinite term, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the potential danger he posed. The judge stated that Cook’s behavior was indicative of grooming tendencies, and he was considered a significant risk to children. Cook was ordered to serve at least two-and-a-half years and to undergo sex offender treatment before being considered for parole.

In the recent hearing, Judge Sean Morris highlighted Cook’s persistent breaches of the court orders. While noting that the children involved were always accompanied by adults, the judge expressed concern about the potential risks and the message such breaches send about compliance with legal protections. Cook was sentenced to eight months in prison, but given his ongoing indefinite sentence, he remains incarcerated. The judge underscored that the breach was serious, but the immediate risk to the children appeared low; however, the potential for harm if circumstances had been different was a matter of grave concern.

Additional details reveal that Cook’s criminal history is extensive. In July 2008, he was convicted of manipulating a schoolgirl and abusing her after persuading her family to allow her to stay overnight at his home. The judge at that time described Cook as a manipulative individual who used the girl “virtually as a sex toy,” and he was sentenced to an indefinite term, with a minimum of two-and-a-half years, requiring him to complete a sex offenders’ treatment program before parole consideration.

Throughout these proceedings, the community and the victim’s families have expressed their outrage and concern. Many in the courtroom reacted emotionally to the sentences, with some relatives wishing for Cook’s continued incarceration, emphasizing the danger he posed. Cook’s history of sexual offenses, combined with his repeated breaches of court orders, underscores the ongoing threat he represents to vulnerable children in Middlesbrough and Guisborough. Authorities remain vigilant, and legal measures continue to be enforced to prevent further harm from this dangerous individual.