Man in Havant jailed for sexual offences

A Havant man has been jailed for 18 years following his conviction on sexual offenses committed against boys and girls over a span of more than 40 years.

David Cotton, who is 60, from Middle Way in Leigh Park, was found guilty on 28 counts, including assault and indecency, with crimes affecting ten different victims from the late 1970s to 2021.

The offenses were committed in various locations, including Chichester and Southsea, among other places in the South.

Following a three-year investigation, Cotton was charged with:

• Seven counts of indecent assault on a male (Boy aged between 8-15)
• Two counts of indecency with a child (Boy aged between 8-10)
• Four counts of indecency with a child (Girl under the age of 14)
• Two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity 
• Sexual activity with a child
• Eleven counts of sexual assault (Male under the age of 18)

Cotton, who was also known as ‘Big Dave’ to many who interacted with him, pleaded not guilty to all offences, but a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found him guilty on all counts following a five-week trial.

He was remanded into custody by the judge, who stated that Cotton is a prolific offender and a danger to society.

He appeared again yesterday (Wednesday 22 January) at the same court, where he was jailed for 18 years and given a further five year extension to his license period due to the Judge deeming him to be a dangerous offender. He has also been ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Hollie Shelton from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s specialist Operation Amberstone team said, “I am very pleased with this result and that the totality of the sentence was met by an applause from a very full court room today full of victims, witnesses and other members of the public.

“The sentence is significant given the challenging nature of investigating non-recent offences where evidence can be more difficult to obtain, but I am very happy that Cotton will finally face justice for his despicable crimes.

“The sentencing is a result of outstanding bravery by the victims in coming forward and while this sentence in no way will negate what has happened to them, I hope that they can now begin to move forward, knowing that justice has been served and safe in the knowledge that he can no longer harm any other children.

“I also hope this sentence will reassure other victims that they will be listened to when reporting similar incidents to us.

“We encourage other victims to come forward and speak to us. We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and work hard to bring offenders to justice.”

Anyone who has any concerns about child abuse should contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.