A man from Wakefield has been sentenced to eight years in jail for committing serious sexual offences against a child. Ben Cooper, 33, received his sentence at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday. He was convicted of these offences, which took place against a young girl at a residence in Castleford in April 2022.
This sentencing marks the conclusion of an investigation conducted by the Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit. The inquiry was initiated after the team received a disclosure from a family member in October of the previous year.
Cooper, residing at Ken Churchill Drive in Horbury, was promptly apprehended following this disclosure. He was subsequently charged with two counts of penetration and one count of sexual touching. On 7th October, when he appeared before magistrates in Leeds, he denied all charges. The case proceeded to trial in June of this year, where he was found guilty on all three charges and was held in custody pending sentencing.
Detective Sergeant Will Denton of Wakefield District Safeguarding Unit, who led the investigation, said; “We welcome the sentencing handed to Cooper, who showed no remorse throughout a difficult and emotional trial for all concerned.
“There can be no doubt he is a risk to children and deserves to be behind bars. I hope this result will encourage any other victims of sexual abuse to engage with our specially trained officers who treat all reports seriously and sensitively and work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.”
