Former social worker had sex with a woman client who had a mental disorder.

Former Social Worker Sentenced for Sex with Client

David Cookson, 43, of Firgrove Road, Southampton, was sentenced to a three-year community service order after admitting to having sex with a female client who had a mental disorder. The offenses occurred in 2007 while Cookson was working as a locum for Surrey County Council.

Cookson pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Guildford Crown Court to two counts of having sex with the Camberley woman. The council immediately terminated his employment upon learning of the offenses.

The court heard that the two offenses took place between March and September 2007. The second incident occurred after Cookson was dismissed from his position.

"This incident should not have happened," said Graham Wilkin, the council's director of social care. "Cookson's actions were not those of a responsible professional and we expect the highest standards at all times."

Wilkin emphasized that Surrey County Council has stringent hiring practices and that these were not compromised in Cookson's case. "We have strict checks in place that are rigorously followed before we employ anyone as a social worker," he stated.

In addition to the community service order, Cookson was placed on the sex offenders register for five years and ordered to attend the Thames Valley sex offenders group work program.

Det Insp Martin Goodwin commented, "This was a very serious but rare offense which was handled sensitively by Surrey police officers and the Community Mental Health Team. In partnership with the NHS Trust and Surrey County Council, we have prevented Cookson from continuing to work as a social worker."