In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that 40-year-old Barnaby Cooper was sentenced to eight years in prison for the systematic grooming and sexual abuse of a 13-year-old girl. Following proceedings at Hull Crown Court, East Riding of Yorkshire, the defendant—formerly of Steeton Avenue, Hull—pleaded guilty to nine child sex offences. It was reported that Cooper, who worked in the Humberside Police customer services crime team, used his position of trust to groom the victim from the age of 10 before escalating to sexual activity.
The investigation established that the abuse occurred between August 2017 and March 2018 in various locations, including Cooper’s car, his bedroom, and the Humber Bridge Country Park. Humberside Police reported that Cooper coerced the child by purchasing cigarettes in exchange for sexual acts. The prosecution reported that the crimes were only uncovered after Cooper’s girlfriend discovered indecent images and videos of the child on his laptop and alerted the authorities.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Cooper attempted to justify his actions during police interviews by claiming the relationship was consensual, despite acknowledging the victim was underage. Hull Crown Court heard that the survivor felt Cooper fluctuated between acting like a brother and a predator, a tactic used to manipulate her emotions. The investigation established that Cooper’s digital devices contained evidence of causing the child to engage in and watch sexual activity over a prolonged period.
Judge Jeremy Richardson QC presided over the sentencing in April 2019, handing down an eight-year custodial term to reflect the gross breach of trust by a police employee. For his actions in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, Cooper was convicted of six counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child and related grooming offences. The judge noted that Cooper’s behavior was predatory and that his claims of remorse were secondary to the immeasurable harm inflicted upon a vulnerable child.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Barnaby Cooper as of March 31, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 8 years (Sentenced 2019; released on licence 2023).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Sexual Harm Prevention Order active indefinitely.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Hull Crown Court, following a Humberside Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Penetrative sexual activity with a child (6 counts); Grooming; Indecent images.
- Origin: Steeton Avenue, Hull; currently reported to be residing in the York area, North Yorkshire.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Cooper is managed as a high-risk Category 1 predator within the North Yorkshire area. Due to the nature of his conduct, which involved the long-term grooming of a primary-school-aged child and the exploitation of his role within a police force, his management is a maximum priority. Authorities state that his transition into the York community is subject to the most stringent level of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) to prevent any re-engagement with minors.
As a registered sex offender for life, Cooper’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his Sexual Harm Prevention Order includes strict conditions regarding his internet use and his proximity to children. Any failure to comply with his notification requirements, any attempt to access youth-centric locations, or any unauthorized contact with minors in York or the surrounding North Yorkshire region will result in immediate arrest and recall to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.