December 2014
Man, 45, facing lengthy spell in prison after inciting schoolgirl to get involved in indecent images
A sex offender could face a long prison sentence after he admitted causing and inciting a schoolgirl to get involved in indecent images
Geoffrey Cooper was told prison was “inevitable” today after he pleaded guilty to six child sex offences.
They included causing and inciting an under-age girl to become involved in pornography in March.
The 45-year-old admitted three charges of causing or inciting the schoolgirl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to engage in sexual activity at the same time.
And he pleaded guilty to possessing four indecent photographs of a child in May.
Judge Michael Taylor said: “He’s bound to receive a lengthy custodial sentence.
“In the current climate this warrants one sentence and one sentence alone, and that’s custody.”
Cooper, of Gifford Street, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, denied a further count of arranging a child sex offence.
This charge will be left to lie on the court file.
Prosecutor Rosalind Scott Bell accepted the pleas, saying: “The case is based on a series of text messages between the two and photographs sent between the two.”
Graham Brown, defending, said: “The defendant has come here expecting to be sentenced.
“There are pressures on him. He’s a man of previous good character.
“He’s attended every court hearing and cooperated fully.
“The circumstances as implied from the indictment are quite different from the facts that will be opened to the court.”
Mr Brown said a probation pre-sentence report recommended a non-custodial sentence for Cooper and spoke of his genuine remorse and regret.
Mr Brown added that Cooper had so far enjoyed unconditional bail.
Judge Taylor said: “I take a different view. I have given an indication that a custodial sentence is inevitable.
“If he is to be granted bail it needs to be on very strict terms. I’m minded to remand him in custody.”
At the end of the hearing, he told Cooper he would allow bail “somewhat reluctantly” on stringent conditions banning him from contact with girls under 16 and governing his internet use.
Cooper will be sentenced on December 19. He is now on the sex offenders’ register.
The judge added: “I warn you, in my view custody is inevitable.”
