John Cooper, a vicious rapist from Gravesend who assaulted two distinct women, has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison.
In March 2023, law enforcement received a report from a victim alleging that John Cooper had raped and sexually abused her on many occasions. He had physically abused her multiple times and was promptly arrested and put into custody.
John Cooper, residing on Whitehill Lane in Gravesend, faced charges of rape, sexual assault, assault causing serious bodily harm, and intentional strangling.
He was detained in custody, and while investigators were finalising their investigations, they located a second lady who claimed that John Cooper had subjected her to a similar experience in 2018.
John Cooper was released from prison on 23 May, interrogated, and subsequently faced additional allegations of rape, sexual assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He entered a plea of not guilty and was subsequently convicted after two distinct trials at Woolwich Crown Court.
John Cooper, 29, was sentenced on Friday 20 December 2024. This includes a custodial period of 18 years and he will have to serve at least two thirds before he can apply for parole.
When he is released from prison, John Cooper will have to serve an additional seven years on licence. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and have to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Burnett said:
‘John Cooper is a violent sexual offender who poses a very real danger to women. He brutally attacked two victims and subjected them both to an appalling ordeal for his own sexual gratification. He sought to deny he had committed these crimes but is now deservedly serving a very long prison sentence.
‘I would like to commend the two victims who showed immense courage in reporting their attacker to the police. They have ensured other women are not in danger from this vile individual.’
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