Former care worker who abused girl in Ellesmere Port care home jailed
Kevin Cooper-Shaw was found guilty of 21 offences, and sentenced to 16 years in prison
A former Ellesmere Port care worker who raped and sexually abused a vulnerable child in a care home has been jailed for 16 years.
Kevin Cooper-Shaw, 45, of Kingsmead Road North, Oxton, was found guilty of 21 offences after a seven-day trial at Chester Crown Court earlier this year.
The charges are:
- Seven counts of sexual activity with a child
- One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
- One count of rape
- One count of attempted sexual activity with a child
- Seven counts of sexual activity with a child by a person in a position of trust
- One count of sexual activity in the presence of a child by a person in a position of trust
- Two counts of making an indecent photograph / pseudo- photograph of a child
- One count of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity by a person in a position of trust
The court heard that Cooper-Shaw worked at the care home between April 2018 and October 2021, where he was tasked with safeguarding and caring for vulnerable children and young people.
However, during that time, he groomed a teenage girl at the care home - committing multiple offences against her.
Cheshire Police were made aware in November 2021 and Cooper-Shaw was arrested.
When detectives reviewed his devices, a number of indecent images of children were found.
Following his conviction, investigating officer DC Katie Ashcroft said:
"The level of offending in this case and the acts he subjected his victim to were truly horrific.
"Cooper-Shaw was meant to be in a position of trust, safeguarding and caring for young people. Despite knowing this, and how vulnerable the victim was, Cooper-Shaw violated and betrayed that trust, abusing and deeply traumatising the young victim at a time when she should have been made to feel safe.
"I’d like to thank the victim for their immense courage and strength they’ve shown throughout this investigation - first to come forward to report the crimes, and then also to give evidence and help convict this man for his predatory and warped behaviour.
"I hope this encourages others who have been subjected to such abuse to come forward. They will get the support and advice they need to help them come to terms with their ordeal, and if they so wish, put their abuser before the courts."