David Anthony Cotton, 60, of Middle Park Way, Leigh Park, was convicted on Monday 11 November of 28 sexual offences, involving ten different victims, spanning the late 1970s to 2021.
Following a three-year investigation by Detective Constable Hollie Shelton, David Anthony Cotton was charged with:
- Seven counts of indecent assault on a male (Boy aged between 8-15)
- Two counts of indecency with a child (Boy aged between 8-10)
- Four counts of indecency with a child (Girl under the age of 14)
- Two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
- Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- Sexual activity with a child
- Eleven counts of sexual assault (Male under the age of 18)
David Anthony Cotton, who pleaded not guilty to all offences, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on Monday, where a jury found him guilty on all counts following a five-week trial.
He was remanded into custody by the judge, who stated that David Anthony Cotton is a prolific offender and a danger to society.
David Anthony Cotton is due to be sentenced in January 2025 at the same court.
Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact us on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there is support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.
Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood, or is concerned about a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline, confidentially, on 0808 800 5000. Alternatively, you can email help@nspcc.org.uk. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.
As a survivor of sexual abuse, you are entitled to support, whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you are feeling and what you decide to do next.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.