Mum’s powerful letter to teaching assistant who abused her son | UK | News
A heartbroken mother has written a devastating letter to her son’s teacher following his sexual abuse.
The unidentified teenage boy was groomed by a teaching assistant who sexually assaulted him, a court heard.
In September last year, concerns were raised when one of the citizens saw 38-year-old Terri Cook outside with a primary school-age teenager.
Police launched an investigation and discovered numerous messages on his phone that included indecent images of him and encouraging sexual contact with the child.
It was also revealed that Cook had bought herself expensive items, jewelry and clothes throughout their relationship, which lasted more than nine months.
Cook, of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, has now been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting multiple sexual offenses against a vulnerable primary school age child.
The victim’s mother sent Cook a strong letter after the sentencing, warning that her child would have to bear the burden of his actions for the rest of his life.
He said: “Miss Cook, I trusted you. You were in a position of trust and power.
“Your job was to help the children and keep them safe. Instead you abused your position and harmed them. [the victim]Not once but many times…. You took so much from him at such a young age.
“This will affect her life forever and she will be the one living with the consequences of your selfish actions.”
Speaking about her son, the heartbroken mother added: “He was a happy boy who was extremely kind and caring to everyone around him… He smiled every day and made us all laugh.”
Following Cook’s sentencing on Thursday, May 14, Detective Sergeant Adam Stanfield, of Bury’s CPIU, said: “Firstly I would like to thank the victim for her tremendous bravery and bravery throughout these proceedings.
It’s not an easy thing to go through, but her and her family’s support in this case allowed us to put the sexual predator behind bars. This case was an egregious example of calculated abuse of power and Cook targeted a vulnerable child who trusted him.
“Grooming is a form of manipulation that can leave lasting emotional and psychological damage and our priority remains protecting young people and supporting victims as they recover.
“This sentence also underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting male victims. They may be victims too, and I urge anyone who believes they have experienced something similar to please let us know. We will always listen. You will always be taken seriously. And we will always take action.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police also said: “A teaching assistant from Bury has been convicted after admitting multiple sexual offenses against a vulnerable primary school age child.
“Terri Cook (17/11/1987), of Masefield Avenue, Radcliffe, appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday where she was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for eight sexual offense charges.
“In September 2025, officers from our Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) launched an intensive investigation into Cook after a member of the public reported seeing him out with a young boy. “The subsequent investigation revealed that Cook had groomed and manipulated her into having sexual intercourse with him.
“Officers found numerous messages on her phone in which she encouraged sexual contact with the child and contained indecent images of him. It was also revealed that Cook had purchased her expensive items, jewelery and clothing during their relationship spanning over nine months.”
