Leigh Park man found guilty of sex offences spanning 40 years

60 year old David Anthony Cotton will be sentenced in January

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 15th Nov 2024

A man from Leigh Park has been convicted of 28 sexual offences that took place over more than 40 years.

Crimes committed by 60 year old David Anthony Cotton, from Middle Park Way, happened in Havant, Denmead, Southsea, Hambledon and Chichester.

The offences spanned the late 1970s to 2021 with ten different victims.

Cotton has been found guilty at Portsmouth Crown Court of:

• Seven counts of indecent assault on a male (Boy aged between 8-15)

• Two counts of indecency with a child (Boy aged between 8-10)

• Four counts of indecency with a child (Girl under the age of 14)

• Two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity

• Sexual activity with a child

• Eleven counts of sexual assault (Male under the age of 18)

He was remanded into custody by the judge, who stated that Cotton is a prolific offender and a danger to society.

He is due to be sentenced in January 2025 at the same court.

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact us on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Those who've experienced abuse in childhood, or is concerned about a child, can contact the NSPCC helpline, confidentially, on 0808 800 5000.

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