Teenager who accused man of sexual abuse says his death robbed her of chance at justice

A teenager allegedly sexually abused by a man who took his own life before he faced a jury says she was 'petrified' at the thought of seeing him, but wanted her day in court.

Married father and joiner Simon Cooper, 37, was found dead at his home in Mossley, Tameside, in September last year. The previous month he had been charged with a series of sexual offences allegedly committed against an underage girl, following a long-running investigation, the Manchester Evening News previouslyrevealed.

Police were looking into the allegations since they were first made in January 2022, an inquest was told. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has now confirmed that last August, prosecutors authorised charges - including five counts of sexual activity with a child; two counts of causing or inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity; and engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

READ MORE: Man who took his own life was facing string of of sex offence charges

Mr Cooper died before his first scheduled court appearance, in December 2023. He never entered pleas and the case against him was formally discontinued at a hearing at Tameside Magistrates' Court.

His accuser, who is now over 16, has now spoken about her ordeal after a coroner concluded he took his own life. She told the M.E.N. when she was informed of his death, she was 'in pieces'.

"I didn't even believe it. He should have had to sit there in that courtroom." She said now that details of the allegations have been made public, she feels she can move forward.

"I feel this is the moment I can start to heal and feel happy," she added. "I believe I would never truly heal if I hadn't had the support I've had throughout this time."

The inquest into Mr Cooper's