Alan Copeland, 59, Jailed for Six Years for Sexually Abusing a Young Girl

Alan Copeland, aged 59, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing a young girl over a period of nearly a decade. The abuse began when the girl was very young, and Copeland had told her to keep what happened a secret.

The girl eventually confided in her family when she was old enough to understand the severity of the abuse. Nottinghamshire Police were informed, and Copeland was arrested and interviewed by specialist child abuse detectives. Despite initially denying the allegations, Copeland was later charged with three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

During a two-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court, a jury heard compelling video testimony from the girl. They were also made aware of two similar convictions against Copeland dating back to the 1990s. On Wednesday, September 5, Copeland was found guilty of all three offenses.

In addition to his prison sentence, Copeland, formerly of Third Avenue, Rainworth, was added to the sex offenders' register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. This order will severely restrict his access to young people once he is released from prison.

Detective Constable Gemma Sidebottom, who led the investigation, commended the victim's bravery and determination. "Copeland is an unrepentant sex offender who thought he could abuse an innocent child with impunity, but he clearly hadn't reckoned on the bravery and determination of his victim," she said. "As she grew older, she realized what had happened to her all those years ago was wrong and told someone about what had happened to her."

"That is a huge step for anyone to take – let alone for someone who is still a child – so I really am full of admiration for the dignity and resolve she has shown throughout this process. With no physical evidence to rely on, the success of this prosecution really came down to the meticulous details she provided in her evidence and her believability as a witness."

"Thanks to her, Copeland has been exposed as a danger to young girls and will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison. I hope this case provides encouragement to other young people who have been abused in similar ways in the past. We will listen to you, we will investigate, and we will seek criminal charges where we can."