David Cookson 60

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A WIRRAL mum whose teenage daughter was raped has spoken of the nightmare her family are still living through.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told of the heart-wrenching moment she was told her little girl had been sexually assaulted by middle-aged David Cookson.

Cookson, 48, from Liscard Road, Wallasey, was jailed for 12 years at Liverpool Crown Court on June 26.

He had pleaded guilty to five rape offences and 11 of making indecent photographs involving 170 images and videos.

The court also heard how Cookson had videoed himself having sex with the young girl who was 12 years old at the time.

The offences came to light in March when she confided to a member of staff at her school.

The girls mother says she still cannot believe what has happened.

She said: I remember social services turning up on my doorstep to tell me and it just felt like a fist going right through my chest and ripping my heart out it didnt seem real.

I couldnt get it off my mind and kept asking why? I couldnt understand how someone could do this to a little girl and hurt her in such a way.

"I know I am not the victim but as her mother I feel her pain and anger.

When interviewed by police, Cookson admitted having sexual intercourse with the girl on eight occasions. The court heard he has previous convictions but not for similar offences.

Paul Wood, defending, said Cookson accepted the activity should never have occurred and takes responsibility for it. "He has good victim empathy," he added.

But the girls mum said she now fears for her daughters future and worries about how she will come to terms with her ordeal.

She said: I do worry all the time about how this is going to affect her later in life and how she will form a loving relationship and be able to trust anyone?

"She wont sleep with the bedroom light off and neither will I its like were still living this horrible nightmare.

Now the woman is hoping to look into setting up a support group for other parents of sexually abused children.

She added: There is nothing out there where parents can go and share their stories and get advice from others in a similar situation. I need to be strong for my daughter but it is very hard.

I am so proud of her for having the courage to come forward and tell someone what had happened she has effectively saved other children from going through the same thing.

Other relatives outside the court last Tuesday expressed disappointment with Cooksons sentence calling it "totally inadequate".