Description
A 22-year-old man who engaged in sexual activity with a child has been jailed for six years.
Michael Cooper, from Hartlepool, groomed his victim over social media with a fake name before engaging in sexual activity with her and becoming aggressive, threatening to grab her hair and choke her.
He knew that she was under 16, telling her that he would get into trouble if she told anyone about what he was doing. He even asked her to prove that she was under 16 by asking her to send a birth certificate to him to prove her age.
He appeared before Teesside Crown Court charged with 16 offences of sexual activity with a child and grooming, before he was sentenced to six years in prison, issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on the sex offenders’ register.
Temporary Detective Sergeant Sarah Blades, of Hartlepool CID said:
“The victim in this case was incredibly brave to come forward and report Cooper, despite his threats to her. Thankfully she did, and was able to provide us with the information needed to build a case of evidence to put before the court, safeguarding other potential victims.
“Support is available for anyone who has experienced or is currently experiencing abuse, you are not alone. No one should ever suffer in silence, and Cooper’s sentence demonstrates that when victims come forward, their voices are heard.”