Former officer jailed for sexual offences

Daniel Cooper, 32 (24.09.85), a former Metropolitan Police constable who was attached to Specialist Crime and Operations, was jailed on Monday, 17 September at Woolwich Crown Court to a total of six years and eight months’ imprisonment.

He will be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Cooper was found guilty of one count of indecent assault contrary to section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 following a trial at the same court on 5 July.

He was found not guilty of a second count of indecent assault (count 3), one count of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child (count 10), one count of sexual activity with a child (count 11) and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity (count 12).

The jury could not reach a decision on a charge of indecency with a child contrary to s1(1) of the Indecency with Children Act 1960.

Cooper had previously pleaded guilty to the following offences at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday, 1 December 2017:

– four counts of indecency with a child (counts 1, 4, 5 and 7);
– two counts of indecent assault (counts 2 and 6);
– five counts of making indecent photographs of a child (counts 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17).

Cooper – then a serving officer – was arrested on 4 May 2016 following allegations of historic sexual assault. He resigned from the Metropolitan Police Service on Wednesday, 28 February.

A special case hearing was held for Cooper on Thursday, 22 March to answer allegations that his conduct breached standards of professional behaviour in respect of discreditable conduct.

Cooper did not attend the hearing and had previously resigned from the MPS. The hearing found gross misconduct proven and had Cooper still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed without notice. Cooper’s name will be submitted to be placed on the Police Barred List preventing future employment elsewhere in policing.