Man, 61, jailed for 16 years after sexually assaulting child in Basingstoke

A man has been jailed for 16 years after he sexually assaulted a child in Basingstoke.

Stephen Cooper, 61, of The Drove, Blackfield, assaulted the girl when she was aged between four and six during a two-year period from March 2021 to March 2023.

Following an extensive investigation, Cooper was charged with:

• Four counts of engaging in non-penetrative sexual activity with a girl under 13
• Sexual assault of a girl under 13 by penetration
• Engaging in sexual activity in presence of a child under 13
• Causing /inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity

Cooper denied the offences but was convicted following a trial at Winchester Crown Court. He was jailed for a total of 16 years at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday 19 July.

Detective Constable Fiona Leman-Lawrie, from the Northern Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “It took a tremendous amount of courage for the young victim in this case to tell us what had happened to her.

“I have nothing but the greatest admiration for the bravery both she and her family showed throughout the investigation and court process.

“Without them we would not have been able to secure this outcome and we would sincerely like to thank them.

“While I know this result won’t rid the victim and her family of the memories of what Cooper did, I truly hope it allows them to move forward, safe in the knowledge that he can no longer harm any other children.

“I also hope this sentence will reassure other victims that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“If anything of this nature has happened to you, please come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact us on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

We recognise that not everyone has the confidence to speak to police, but there is support services available that can help you if you are a victim of abuse.

Anyone who has experienced abuse in childhood, or is concerned about a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline, confidentially, on 0808 800 5000. Alternatively, you can email [email protected]. Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

As a survivor of sexual abuse, you’re entitled to support, whether you report the crime or not. You can access different types of support depending on how you’re feeling and what you decide to do next.

Read more here: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/rape-sexual-assault-support/