Victim of Paedophile Bryce Cooke Launches Legal Action

Abuse law Solicitors at Simpson Millar have been instructed to represent a woman who suffered abuse at the hands of notorious Stockport-based paedophile Bryce Cooke amidst concerns that more could have done more to protect his victims.

Cooke, now 81, exploited his position as a high school art teacher to groom and sexually abuse children.

One victim, whose case was reported in the press, was molested by Cooke over a period of four years, beginning when she was just 12 years old. The abuse first started at Cheadle Hulme High School, formerly known as Woods Lane Secondary School.

Cooke also worked at a radio station, regularly presenting a religious affairs programme, and it was here that he further abused the victim.

In September 2019 Cooke admitted indecent assault and was jailed for six years. 

Liam Goggin, a Senior Associate Solicitor at Simpson Millar, said the firm was now in the early stages of investigating who was responsible for running the school where one of Cooke’s victims was abused with a view to bringing a claim for compensation against those responsible for her care.

Liam explains, “Schools are supposed to be a safe place for pupils, yet what is evident here is that Bryce Cooke abused his position of power in the worst way possible. Causing children to go through unimaginable trauma which has had a lifelong impact.

“We have now been instructed on behalf of one abuse survivor amidst concerns that more could, and should, have been done to protect her and other victims.

“As part of this, we have started the process of investigating who was responsible for running the school where she attended and who was therefore vicariously liable for the actions of staff.”