A violent rapist from Gravesend who subjected two women to horrific ordeals has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. John Cooper, 29, was found guilty of multiple counts of rape, sexual assault, and assault following two separate trials at Woolwich Crown Court.
The court heard how Cooper subjected his first victim to repeated rapes and sexual assaults, accompanied by brutal physical abuse, including strangulation. This abuse came to light in March 2023 when the victim reported the crimes to the police. During the investigation, detectives uncovered a second victim who had endured similar abuse at the hands of Cooper in 2018. Cooper was subsequently charged with additional offences related to this second victim.
Despite pleading not guilty, Cooper was convicted by a jury. He will serve at least two-thirds of his 18-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Upon release, he will be subject to an additional seven years on license and must comply with a stringent sexual harm prevention order. He will also be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Burnett said:
‘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.’