A MAN has been jailed for 19 years after being found guilty of historic child sex offences.
David Neil Cook, 62, was convicted of two counts of rape, one count of indecent assault and one count of indecency with a child following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.
The offences were committed between April 1991 and April 1993 and involved one female child victim.
The victim first disclosed the offences to police in 2019 and Cook was subsequently arrested and charged.
Cook, of Glebe Way, West Knighton, pleaded not guilty in an appearance at Bournemouth Crown Court last year and his case was sent to trial at Winchester Crown Court where he was found guilty of the four charges by a jury last October.
He appeared again at Winchester Crown Court for sentencing this month year where a judge sentenced him to a total of 19 years' imprisonment.
The victim, who has been described as showing 'immense courage', told the Echo that she made the report to police following 'years of anxiety'.
She said: "I was too young to realise what was going on, what he was making me do."
Despite what has been a very difficult time, the victim said she was glad that the case was over and was happy with the sentence given to Cook.
She said she doesn't want other victims of abuse to feel ashamed about what happened to them or to hide behind their abuse for years.
She said: "People shouldn't keep secrets, they should not be ashamed, and they will be believed."
Detective Constable Mandy Lawrence, of Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “The victim showed immense courage in coming forward to report what happened to them to police.
“I am pleased that following our investigation, David Cook is now behind bars for his unacceptable behaviour.
“We will relentlessly tackle child sexual abuse by supporting victims, encouraging reporting and ensuring those who inflict abuse are brought to justice.
“I hope this case encourages others to find the strength to come forward to report any sexual abuse in the knowledge that they will be supported and a thorough investigation will be carried out.”
Non-urgent reports of child abuse can be reported to Dorset Police on the force's website, by emailing 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101. If it is believed a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Local children's social care services include STARS Dorset online at starsdorset.org/children-and-young-persons-service or by calling 01202 308858 and The Shores (Dorset's Sexual Assault Referral Centre) by calling 01202 552056.
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