Shaun Gilder

In May 2004, 21-year-old Shaun Gilder from Oulton Broad, Suffolk, met 17-year-old Dan Cooper in Norwich, Norfolk, where their encounter developed into Dan's first relationship. On a Saturday evening that month, following a barbecue, Gilder became intoxicated and asked Dan to drive him home. Around midnight, Gilder directed Dan to stop the car on a quiet road behind James Paget Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk.

There, Gilder attacked Dan, committing two counts of rape and one count of assault by penetration, which resulted in serious internal injuries requiring Dan's hospital admission three times that summer. Traumatised, Dan managed to drive Gilder home before returning to his mother's house, where he lay in bed for hours grappling with the trauma. Dan initially reported the assault to Norfolk Police the following September, providing a statement, but the case did not proceed further at the time due to his unwell state and personal circumstances, including his family's lack of awareness about his sexuality.

Life continued for Dan, who later worked in various roles, including as a prison employee and immigration officer at Stansted Airport, but the incident haunted him, triggering flashbacks and contributing to his diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In 2018, while serving on a jury in a trial involving sexual assault evidence, Dan was inspired by the female witnesses' courage and decided to re-report the attack to Norfolk Police. Two detectives were assigned to the case, leading to charges and a trial at Norwich Crown Court in November 2023.

On 27 February 2024, nearly two decades after the crimes, Gilder was convicted on all counts and sentenced to eight years in prison. Dan waived his anonymity to share his story, stating in his victim impact statement, 'I have had, and still have, regular thoughts of suicide,' highlighting the lasting impact. Dan's mother, Nicki Duffield, confronted Gilder in the hospital in 2004, recalling, 'There was a rage like a fire burning inside me. I was so angry.' The case underscores the challenges in prosecuting historical sexual offences, with Dan now advocating through social media to encourage others to come forward.