Man sentenced to 18 years for rape and sexual assault of two women

An individual has been incarcerated after committing rape and sexual assault against two women in distinct incidents. John Cooper, a resident of Gravesend, was apprehended in 2023 following a report from a woman alleging that he had raped, sexually assaulted, and physically assaulted her. During his detention, Kent Police identified a second woman who reported experiencing a comparable ordeal at Cooper’s hands in 2018. On Friday, at Woolwich Crown Court, the 29-year-old individual received an 18-year prison sentence. Initially, Cooper faced charges of rape, sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and intentional strangulation. Subsequent to the second allegation, additional charges were brought against him, including rape, sexual assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Despite pleading not guilty, he was found guilty after two distinct trials. Cooper is mandated to serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible to apply for parole, and following his release, he will be subject to an additional seven years on licence. Furthermore, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely. Detective Constable Daniel Burnett stated that Cooper is a “violent sexual offender, who poses a very real danger to women”. Burnett added, “He brutally attacked two victims and subjected them both to an appalling ordeal for his own sexual gratification.” He further commended, “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.”