A Swindon paedophile who befriended a grandmother to abuse a girl has been jailed for life.
Steven Cozens denied offences of sexual assault of a child under 13, causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession or making indecent images of children and possession or making of prohibited images.
However, during his trial at Swindon Crown Court, he changed his pleas to guilty.
The 42-year-old was handed a life sentenced with a minimum of ten years on 8 December. He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
The court heard how in July 2021, the seven-year-old girl’s grandmother – who knew of the defendant – arrived home one day to find Cozens working in her garden unsolicited.
Cozens then took advantage of the grandmother and ingratiated himself with her, visiting the house regularly. He was occasionally left alone with the victim which is when the abuse took place.
When the victim, now aged ten, bravely disclosed details about the abuse, her grandmother submitted a Sarah’s Law (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme) request to Wiltshire Police, which allows the police to share information about sex offenders.
She was then contacted by officers from the Force and Cozens was arrested the following day.
Investigating officer Robert Sweeney said: “These are horrific crimes committed by Cozens when he was trusted by the victim’s grandmother.
“Despite the overwhelming evidence discovered on his phone, Cozens initially pleaded not guilty which forced the young victim to be put through the trauma of a trial.
“Thankfully he has then changed his plea, but not before the young victim was required to give evidence herself.
“I would like to commend her for the bravery she has shown right from the beginning of this traumatic ordeal.
“I am pleased Cozens has been given a life sentence which reflects the awful nature of his crimes.
“This incident also shows the importance of Sarah’s Law, where you can ask us if you’re worried about someone’s behaviour towards a child to find out if that person is a risk.”
