Paedophile Oliver Cooper from Bognor was convicted of three counts of sexual assault on six-year-old girls, in addition to charges of producing indecent photos of a child and thirteen counts of voyeurism.
The 27-year-old student served as a Beaver Scouts leader in Horsham when he perpetrated the acts over two years ago.
This month at Lewes Crown Court, Judge Mooney stated that the former Household Cavalry soldier exhibited a lack of remorse for his conduct and imposed a six-year prison sentence.
The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by police from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigation Unit, initiated after a young girl reported that Oliver Cooper had sexually assaulted her.
Officers promptly apprehended Oliver Cooper, discovering disturbing photographs and recordings of youngsters disrobing in private during the search of his phone and laptop.
During the ongoing investigation into the scope of his misconduct, a second kid emerged, reporting a comparable incident against her.
Detective Constable Rees Hopcraft stated: “The young girls involved exhibited remarkable courage throughout the investigation and received assistance from specially trained officers.”
“Notwithstanding the compelling evidence, Oliver Cooper persisted in asserting his innocence, thereby necessitating the victims to provide testimony through a video link to the court.”
Judge Mooney remarked on Oliver Cooper’s absence of contrition and the ‘significant breach of trust’ during sentencing.
“Before assuming his scouting position, he was a law student at the University of Sussex and served as a soldier in the Household Cavalry for four years in the UK.”
The Scouts Association and West Sussex Children’s Services were notified immediately upon the emergence of allegations against Oliver Cooper and collaborated with law enforcement to implement all requisite safeguarding measures.
He appeared at Lewes Crown Court yesterday and was convicted of two counts of sexual assault against a six-year-old girl, one act of sexual assault against another six-year-old girl, one crime of producing indecent photos of a child, and 13 counts of voyeurism.
Oliver Cooper received a sentence of six years of incarceration and will be permanently listed on the Sex Offenders Register.
Oliver Cooper received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, effective until further court notice, which imposes stringent limitations on his access to children, and he has been permanently excluded from employment involving children and vulnerable individuals.
A spokesperson for Sussex Police stated: “The Scouts Association has provided complete cooperation during the investigation.”
Parents of all children in the group, including those whose children have been identified as subjects of the alleged acts, have been made apprised.
“There is presently no safeguarding risk to any child.”
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