Bishop Auckland pervert Michael Cooper jailed for six years

Michael Cooper knew the girl was underage when he started engaging in sexual activity with her after making contact on social media.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 22-year-old used a false name whilst communicating with the teenager on Snapchat.

Adrian Strong, prosecuting, said the victim had been sexually abused by other men before contact with Cooper which resulted in her having access to her mobile phone restricted under a child protection plan.

“They were unconnected but left her particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse,” he said.

Mr Strong said the victim gave police some of her underwear and provided details of where and when she had met the man she believed was called ‘Thomas’.

The court heard police traced the defendant using vehicle number plate recognition technology travelling from his home to the Hartlepool area where he carried out the sexual abuse of the teenager.

Mr Strong said: “The defendant deliberately targeted a particularly vulnerable child as he knew about her background and sexual abuse.

“He said she was a ‘pushover’ and do as she was told. He also used threats by telling her that he would take his own life is she reported him.

“He also made significant effort in terms of trying to conceal his true identity by using Snapchat and a false first name.”

Copper, of Southcliffe, South Church, Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to 14 counts of sexual activity with a child, one charge of sexual communication with a child and a final charge of meeting a girl under 16 years of age following grooming between August and October 2024.

Stephen Constantine, mitigating, said the apprentice plumber was dealing with the breakdown of his relationship at the time of the offending.

He said: “He was upset and lonely, as so many of his age do, he found some help in social media. There was nothing sinister in using Snapchat, it is simply of way of communicating.

“When he first got into contact with her, he was not aware of her vulnerabilities but subsequent messages show he was aware of her history.”

Recorder Bryan Cox KC sentenced Cooper to a total of six years of all offences against the vulnerable teenager where he repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with a child.

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“Your offending took place over a number of weeks last year and the period of online communication between you both was in excess of 50 days,” he said.

“There was an element of blackmail and you threatened to take your own life on occasions. You took steps to try and stop her reporting you.

“There was plainly a degree manipulation on your part.”

Cooper was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order and was issued with a sexual harm prevention order for life.