A SEX offender from Coventry has been jailed for assaults against two children and a woman.
Graham Cockerill, 67, of Elwy Circle in Ash Green, was found guilty at Warwick Crown Court of three counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13 by touching, two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, and one count of indecent assault of a female over 16. He was jailed for seven years.
In 2022, West Midlands Police’s Child Abuse, Trafficking and Exploitation (CATE) Team launched an investigation into Cockerill, who was reported to have sexually assaulted three women.
The first victim reported assaults by Cockerill taking place in the Coventry area between 2016-2022 when she was under 13.
Another victim made themselves known to investigators and reported offences by Cockerill throughout the 1970s, between the ages of nine and 14, in the Meriden area.
A further victim was identified who was aged in her 40s at the time, but passed away in 1995 and never reported the offences to police.
Cockerill was found guilty in June and sentenced last week. He was also given a 10-year restraining order for one of the victims, a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), and will also be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Det Con James Manders, formerly of West Midlands Police’s CATE team, said: “This case demonstrates that in certain circumstances, a victim need not necessarily even be alive for us to obtain a conviction.
“Despite 30 years having passed since her death, and having never reported the crime to the police, we worked tirelessly to gather evidence to ensure we could bring Cockerill to justice.
“Thankfully, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to progress with this case thanks to statements from living witnesses about the victim and the offender disclosing details of the crime to them.
“I’d like to thank the CPS lawyer who decided to authorise this charge and allow a jury to make up their minds about Cockerill’s guilt.
“The victims and witnesses in this case are amongst the most extraordinary people I have had the pleasure of knowing during my policing career. They showed great strength and courage throughout the process. As always, the service we provide to victims will always be at the forefront of any investigation, whether living or deceased.”
Victims of sexual offences in Warwickshire can report offences at www.warwickshire.police.uk/ro/report or by calling 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.
Visit https://safeline.org.uk for free, independent and confidential support for anyone affected by, or at risk of, sexual abuse.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/38d2vytj for Warwickshire Police’s support and advice page for victims of rape, sexual assault and other sex offences.
