Teaching assistant’s sick secret unearthed after she was noticed in public with boy
Terri Cook, a teaching assistant from Bury, has been jailed for grooming and abusing a primary school-aged boy after a member of the public reported seeing them together in the street
Terri Cook has been jailed(Image: GMP)
A depraved teaching assistant exploited her position of trust to prey upon a vulnerable boy. Concerns were raised about Terri Cook, from Bury, when a member of the public spotted her out with the child, who was of primary school age.
Greater Manchester Police launched an inquiry, which revealed how she had been grooming the youngster and coercing him into participating in a sexual relationship. Officers found countless messages on her mobile which demonstrated she had been encouraging sexual communications with the boy.
Cook, 38, was also discovered to possess indecent images of the child, reports the Manchester Evening News. Police uncovered how Cook had bought the boy costly gifts, including jewellery and clothing, during a nine-month period in which she carried out her crimes.
In a moving statement delivered in court, the victim’s mum outlined the devastating impact Cook’s actions had inflicted on her son’s life.
She said: “He was a happy boy who was extremely kind and caring to everyone around him. Despite experiencing traumatic events earlier in his life, he continued to be positive and compassionate. He smiled every day and made us all laugh.”
Speaking directly to Cook, the mum added: “I trusted you. You were in a position of trust and power. Your role was to help children and keep them safe. Instead, you abused your position and harmed [the victim], not once but repeatedly.
“You knew about his past and deliberately used his vulnerability to your advantage. You have taken so much away from him at such a young age. This will affect his life forever, and it will be him who lives with the consequences of your selfish actions.”
Cook admitted guilt to eight charges of sexual offences. She received a four-and-a-half year prison sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (May 14).
Cook faced justice thanks to efforts by GMP’s Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU), which operates to safeguard young people throughout the region.
Detective Sergeant Adam Stanfield, from GMP’s CPIU, said: “I’d firstly like to thank the immense bravery and courage of the victim, throughout these proceedings. It is no easy thing to go through, but his and his family’s support throughout this case has enabled us to put a sexual predator behind bars.
“This case was a horrific example of calculated abuse of power, and Cook targeted a vulnerable child who put his trust in her.
“Grooming is a form of manipulation that can leave lasting emotional and psychological damage, and our priority remains protecting young people and supporting victims as they recover.
“This sentencing also emphasises our unwavering commitment to protecting male victims. They can be victims too and I urge anyone who believes they may have been through anything similar to please report to us.
“We will always listen. You will always be taken seriously. And we will always take action.”
