In 2018, the Offender Database recorded that 63-year-old Michael Cosco—of Halesowen Road, Cradley Heath—was jailed for a series of “predatory” sexual assaults across the West Midlands rail network. Cosco appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court where he was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. It was reported that the investigation established Cosco targeted three females between February and April, including a 13-year-old schoolgirl whom he molested at Aston Station while she was travelling home from school.
The investigation established that Cosco’s offending began with the “violation” of an 18-year-old woman on the Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield service, where he repeatedly rubbed himself against her. The prosecution reported that Cosco was also linked to incidents at Birmingham New Street where he touched himself inappropriately on a platform and exposed himself on a train to Five Ways. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that the schoolgirl’s father was instrumental in the arrest, as he spotted Cosco the day after the assault and alerted police immediately.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Cosco’s behavior was a persistent threat to public decency, including a further incident in April where he rubbed his groin against a woman on a tram in Wednesbury. The investigation established that although Cosco pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault, he was found guilty of the assault against the 13-year-old following a trial. The prosecution reported that the judge ordered additional charges of outraging public decency and indecent exposure to “lie on record” due to the significant custodial term already imposed.
Judge-led proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court concluded on October 5, 2018, with Cosco being “caged” for a total of 33 months. For his actions in Birmingham and the “harrowing” impact on his young victim, he was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. The judge noted that Cosco’s use of the local rail and tram networks as a hunting ground for victims necessitated a strict Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to exclude him from specific public transport routes upon his release.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Birmingham and the Black Country, the status of Michael Cosco as of April 10, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: RELEASED ON LICENCE (Sentenced to 2 years 9 months in 2018; served custodial term; currently under supervision).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active (10-year period ending October 2028).
- SHPO Status: Active (Includes strict bans on loitering at train stations or trams and mandatory digital monitoring).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Sexual assault x2; Outraging public decency; Indecent exposure).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court; investigated by British Transport Police (BTP) and West Midlands Police.
- Criminal Record: Targeted a 13-year-old schoolgirl; Molested an 18-year-old on a train; Exposed himself at Birmingham New Street; Arrested after being spotted by a victim’s father.
- Origin: Cradley Heath, Sandwell.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Cosco is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender within the Cradley Heath area. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “serial targeting of females in confined transport environments”—his management is a priority for the British Transport Police and West Midlands Police Public Protection Units. Authorities state that his history of “groin-rubbing” and public exposure identifies him as an individual who requires the most intensive tier of statutory oversight, including unannounced patrols and exclusion from the rail network during peak school travel hours.
As a registered sex offender, the 71-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that the SHPO is a vital safeguard to prevent him from using public transport as a means to access further victims. Any change of residence in Cradley Heath or elsewhere, or any attempt to loiter on station platforms, will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who demonstrated a persistent and “predatory intent” toward females across the West Midlands.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was spotted and reported by the victim’s father the following day, do you believe that “Citizen Identification” should be more actively encouraged by the police through the real-time public release of CCTV for all transit-based sexual offences?
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.