SIMON COPE FROM LENTON AND NORTHAMPTON TO BE FREED DESPITE 15-MONTH SENTENCE FOR SEX OFFENCES

In a development that has raised concerns among law enforcement and child protection advocates, Simon Cope, a convicted paedophile residing in Northampton, is expected to be released from prison within a few weeks despite having been handed a 15-month custodial sentence. Cope, aged 51 and living at Fylingdale, appeared before Northampton Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). This order explicitly prohibited him from having any contact with children under the age of 16.

Details of his criminal history reveal a troubling pattern of sexual offenses against young boys. The court was informed that Cope has accumulated a total of 17 previous convictions, many of which involve sexual assaults on minors. Notably, in 2005, he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after grooming three boys shortly after his release from a previous sentence for similar offenses. His criminal record also includes a 1998 conviction where he pleaded guilty to nine charges related to the abuse of five boys, some of whom were under 13 years old.

Further investigations uncovered that Cope had made approximately 9,000 searches on his computer for websites involving young boys, indicating a disturbing preoccupation with minors. The court heard that Cope had managed to establish a relationship with a family in Northampton, during which he took a young boy go-karting and out for meals. Additionally, he was found to have given another boy a lift home, actions that could be perceived as grooming behaviors.

The arrest of Cope was triggered when the boy’s family conducted an online search of his name and discovered his extensive criminal history through police databases. This discovery led to his detention and subsequent court proceedings.

During sentencing, Judge Michael Fowler emphasized the severity of Cope’s past convictions, stating, “You have very serious previous convictions. When the courts sentenced you in 2005 it was the intention to stop you having contact with young boys.” Despite the 15-month sentence handed down, the judge noted that Cope had been in custody since February, and therefore, he is likely to be released within the upcoming month.

Back in December 2005, Cope’s criminal activities drew significant attention when police praised the victims for their bravery. At that time, he was described as a “dangerous” paedophile who had groomed three boys shortly after being released from a seven-year sentence for indecent assault on five other children. The Nottingham Crown Court found him guilty of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexually assaulting a minor, and making indecent images of children. Cope had previously pleaded guilty to nine charges related to the abuse of five boys in 1998.

In the recent case, Cope was found to have bought gifts for one of his victims and touched them indecently at swimming pools. He denied that the contact was sexual and claimed that it did not happen in the case of one boy. Judge Jonathan Teare, presiding over the case, expressed his belief that Cope remains a “dangerous man,” stating, “I regard you to be a danger to young boys for the foreseeable future.”

Following his arrest, police conducted a search of Cope’s home in October of the previous year, uncovering evidence of his online activity—specifically, the 9,000 searches related to sites involving boys. Despite his extensive criminal record, Cope’s defense lawyer, Martin Hunt, requested leniency, arguing that his actions were grooming behaviors rather than violent or threatening conduct and suggesting he did not pose a serious risk to the public.

It is important to note that, upon release, Cope will be subject to a license condition for an additional three and a half years and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life. Detective Inspector Tim Dunne of the Child Abuse Unit in West Bridgford commented on the case, describing Cope as “a predatory pedophile that preys on young boys,” who manipulates and deceives children to gain their trust. He also commended the victims for their courage in providing evidence against him, emphasizing the importance of their bravery in bringing such offenders to justice.