In 2022, the Offender Database reported that David Cooper, then 35, of Nicholas Road, Widnes, Cheshire, was sentenced to 27 months in prison. On 1 September 2022, Cooper appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for “vicious” attempts to sexually exploit a child online.
The investigation established that between May and August 2021, Cooper used Kik Messenger to chat with “Grace,” whom he believed was a 13-year-old girl. In reality, “Grace” was an undercover officer. Despite the “girl” confirming her age, Cooper pursued “vile” conversations, requesting photographs of her “crotch area” and sending an “abhorrent” image of his penis. He told the child, “it’s our secret,” and acknowledged that he could “go to prison and lose everything” if caught.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
Judge Anil Murray emphasised that he could not accept Cooper’s claim that he was not attracted to children. The court reported that Cooper, a diagnostic technician, was on the brink of promotion before his “serious” offending was uncovered. The prosecution emphasised that Cooper had “persistently” made lewd remarks and told the child he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her.
The defence emphasised that Cooper had no previous convictions and had deleted the app three months before his arrest. His barrister suggested he was in an “emotional cloud” following a divorce. However, the judge emphasised that the “vicious” nature of the grooming, including telling the child their chats would kill her mother, required immediate custody. For his crimes in Widnes, the court determined that Cooper poses a “serious” risk to minors.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Widnes, Cheshire, David Cooper was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 27 months in immediate custody.
- SHPO: A 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated for 10 years.
- Convictions: Admitted attempted communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Cooper is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Cheshire Constabulary. His history of “persistent” grooming and his “vile” lewd messages mean his status remains under “stringent” scrutiny by local authorities in Widnes.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Cooper must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Widnes, Cheshire. Authorities state that his 10-year SHPO is a “critical” tool to monitor his digital activity and prevent further “vicious” attempts to target children. Any breach of his registration conditions, his SHPO, or his licence terms following his release from prison will result in his immediate return to Liverpool Crown Court.
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