Jail for man who groomed and had sex with girl in Peterborough in ‘sickening’ crime

Thomas Cosslette, 22, first made contact with the victim through one of her friends, who he had met on holiday in 2016.

Cosslette and the victim began messaging each other in 2016, when he was 18.

Cosslette, who is from Cornwall, visited the victim when she was staying in Peterborough and during this visit first engaged in sexual activity with her.

Following this he began asking her to send explicit photos of herself.

On another visit, Cosslette texted the victim just before he set off and told her if she didn’t have sex with him when he got there he would leave and she would never see him again.

Cosslette, of Gwarth an Drae, Helston, Cornwall, pleaded guilty to six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced to three years and four months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (14 May). He was also handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Constable Mark Escott, who investigated, said: “Cosslette knew what he was doing when he manipulated the victim and guilt-tripped her into feeling she had no choice.

“It was sickening and illegal and he stole this girl’s childhood from her and subjected her to things she was too young to comprehend.

“We have worked in conjunction with Devon and Cornwall Police to bring Cosslette before the courts and I am glad justice has been done.

“I hope this brings some comfort to the victim and she is able to rebuild her life.”

If you’re concerned someone may have been convicted of a sex offence, and could be posing a risk to a child, you can apply for disclosure information through Sarah Law: https://bit.ly/33GQeu7