A predatory South Yorkshire police officer who groomed a 15-year-old girl for a naked picture has been jailed for 18 months.
PC Daniel Cookson, based in Rotherham before his suspension, claimed the victim was lying. But a Sheffield Crown Court jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict in just over two hours.
Cookson’s supporters consoled each other in the public gallery as the shamed officer was led away.
A member of the victim’s family said outside court: “I’m glad the jury believed what she has been saying. It’s been a nightmare two years waiting for this to finally come to court. I’ve just sat there numb. We hope we can put this behind us.”
Another family member said: “He’s lied throughout the trial and called her a liar. He thought throughout the case that he could get away with it. He said he fell in love with her, it’s just wrong.”
Judge Michael Murphy QC said: “This is no doubt a serious case which involved grooming the 15-year-old.
“You told the court she had been lying. She was not lying.
“She confided in you with many anxieties that a teenage girl will have at that stage.(The Star)
Link: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/south-yorkshire-cop-who-groomed-teenage-girl-lied-through-trial-1-7570928
20
