SIDNEY COGGER BANNED FROM SUTTON PARK FAIR AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BIRMINGHAM

Sidney Cogger, a man with a troubling criminal history, has been officially barred from operating his fair ride at Sutton Park, a popular recreational area in Birmingham. This decisive action was taken by Birmingham City Council following Cogger’s past conviction for a serious sexual offense.

For several years, Mr. Cogger was a familiar figure at the annual fair held at Boldmere Gate, where he operated a fair ride during the busy months from April through September. His presence at the event was well-known among local residents and visitors alike. However, his involvement in the community has come under scrutiny after a disturbing incident that occurred in June 2006. During that time, Cogger was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage mother at the same fairground. The assault involved him inappropriately touching the young woman’s breasts while she was attending the fair.

In addition to the sexual assault, court proceedings revealed that Mr. Cogger was also guilty of causing actual bodily harm through an assault. The incident was particularly distressing because the victim’s two-year-old son was present on the ride at the time. Witnesses reported that the ride suddenly came to an abrupt stop, causing the young child to be thrown into the air, which could have resulted in serious injury.

Sidney Cogger, who is 43 years old and resides at Hay Mills Amusement Depot on Shipway Road in Birmingham, was sentenced to a three-year probation order. As part of his sentence, he was required to attend weekly sessions designed for sex offenders, complete 100 hours of community service, and was explicitly ordered not to seek permission to operate any fair rides within Sutton Park again.

Following the conviction, Birmingham City Council confirmed that Cogger had received a formal letter informing him of his ban from future applications to operate rides in Sutton Park. The council also stated that all items related to his previous operations, including equipment and signage, must be removed from the park by the end of March. Officials emphasized that the incident involving the assault and inappropriate conduct was a serious concern, and public safety remains a top priority.

Furthermore, authorities acknowledged that replacing the single semi-permanent fair ride inside Sutton Park is unlikely in the near future. Instead, they plan to review the facilities in the area that has been vacated, with the aim of ensuring community standards and safety are maintained. The decision underscores the importance placed on protecting the public and upholding community trust in local recreational activities.