Former Ellesmere Port Care Worker Convicted of Rape and Child Sex Offenses

Kevin Cooper-Shaw, 45, of Kingsmead Road North, Oxton, was found guilty on 21 out of 23 charges following a seven-day trial at Chester Crown Court.

Cooper-Shaw, who worked at a care home in Ellesmere Port between April 2018 and October 2021, was tasked with safeguarding and caring for vulnerable children and young people. During this time, he groomed a teenage girl at the care home, committing multiple offenses against her.

The investigation began in November 2021 after the matter was reported to police. Cooper-Shaw was arrested shortly after and, upon reviewing his devices, detectives found him in possession of indecent images of children.

Cooper-Shaw will be sentenced on May 31.

Investigating officer DC Katie Ashcroft stated: "The level of offending in this case and the acts he subjected his victim to were truly horrific. Cooper-Shaw was meant to be in a position of trust, safeguarding and caring for young people. Despite knowing this, and how vulnerable the victim was, Cooper-Shaw violated and betrayed that trust, abusing and deeply traumatising the young victim at a time when she should have been made to feel safe."

Ashcroft continued, "I'd like to thank the victim for their immense courage and strength they've shown throughout this investigation – first to come forward to report the crimes, and then also to give evidence and help convict this man for his predatory and warped behavior. I hope this encourages others who have been subjected to such abuse to come forward. They will get the support and advice they need to help them come to terms with their ordeal, and if they so wish, put their abuser before the courts."