David Cole

A former teacher from Bradford has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for grooming and sexually abusing a vulnerable young boy in 1995. David Cole, aged 66 and residing in Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child at Bradford Crown Court.

The offences occurred when Cole, who had worked as a teacher in Keighley, West Yorkshire, encountered the boy on the street. He invited the youngster to his home, where he had created an 'underground club' in a cellar equipped with speakers and record desks. There, Cole provided the boy with a can of lager before sexually assaulting him. The boy, described as vulnerable due to his circumstances, returned to Cole's home multiple times, initially out of hunger, and later became addicted to the cannabis and amphetamine supplied by Cole. Prosecutor Richard Holland detailed how the abuse took place in this setting, exploiting the boy's trust in the 'nice man' who appeared to offer safety.

Judge Jonathan Rose, Recorder of Bradford, branded Cole a 'dedicated groomer' during the sentencing on 20 March 2025. The judge highlighted the profound impact on the victim, stating, 'You ruined his childhood and then you ruined his adulthood,' and noted the 'long-lasting and potentially lifelong' effects. Rose emphasised that Cole had the opportunity to 'wipe the slate clean' after previous convictions but chose not to, committing these grave offences despite knowing the boy's vulnerability.

Cole's criminal history includes a 12-year sentence for similar offences against other young boys, as well as imprisonments in 2001 and 2013 for sexual crimes. He was released from prison in 2023 before being interviewed by police in September of that year, following the victim's report in 2021. Although Cole admitted the abuse occurred, he disputed the boy's age, claiming a preference for older teenagers. The judge described the incident as one among many committed by Cole around that time, underscoring it was not an isolated act by a man of good character.

This case, reported by BBC News Yorkshire, sheds light on the persistent predatory behaviour of repeat offenders and the enduring trauma inflicted on victims. The sentencing reflects the severity of child sexual exploitation, with Cole's actions entailing the enticement of a child into a false sense of security for abusive purposes.