Predator Thomas Cooper Jailed for Grooming and Sex Crimes on Snapchat
Thomas Cooper from Tame Street, Denton, has been slammed with a hefty 3 years and 9 months behind bars. He’s also hit with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and must stay on the sex offender register for life. The sentence came down at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after Cooper admitted multiple child sex offences.
Shocking Grooming on Social Media
The court heard how, in December 2021, Cooper used Snapchat to groom a girl under 16. After building trust online, he arranged to meet her in person. The predator then sexually abused the victim on two separate occasions.
The victim’s family discovered the horrors and flagged it to police, sparking an investigation.
Police Act Swiftly After Arrest
Cooper was arrested on 31 January 2022 in Ashton-Under-Lyne. In custody, he bizarrely tried to blame the victim for the abuse. But detectives gathered enough evidence to secure his guilty plea.
Detective Constable Mike Allen, of GMP’s Tameside safeguarding team, said: “Cooper is clearly a predator prying on children for his own sexual pleasure. Sexual offences have long-lasting impacts on victims. Greater Manchester Police is committed to stopping this harm.”
He added: “If any young person is being contacted by an adult inappropriately, or knows someone who is, please speak up so we can protect and support victims and bring offenders like Cooper to justice.”
Justice Served, Warning Issued
Cooper’s sentence sends a strong message to other offenders in Greater Manchester. The police vow to keep rooting out predators and safeguarding vulnerable youngsters from exploitation.
