By Nadia Moharib
Calgary Sun
September 25, 2011
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/09/24/ex-pastor-pedophile-a-volunteer-at-airdrie-church
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| This screen capture from the State of Illinois sex offender registry shows an entry for Kenneth Cooke, who now lives in Airdrie and is a volunteer at a church in the community. |
AIRDRIE - The convicted pedophile who blamed his four-year-old victim for sexually pursuing him has quietly relocated to Airdrie.
Convicted in the U.S., Kenneth Richard Cooke is on the Illinois Sex Offender registry — but the 77-year-old seems to be flying under the radar in the city north of Calgary where he lives with his wife.
His niece, Brenda Van Dusen, said the public has a right to know about the past of a man listed as ‘a sexual predator’ on the U.S. registry.
“He’s basically free to do what he wants here. It’s sickening,” she said Saturday.
“He gets to live happily ever after … what about the little girl who wishes she wasn’t born?”
The Illinois-based Daily Herald reported the retired pastor, who once headed a Calgary ministry, was handed a three-year term in 2007 after pleading guilty to an aggravated sex abuse charge stemming from allegations he fondled the girl, who was unrelated to him, while visiting family.
Judge Joseph Condon, citing a lack of remorse and ongoing threat despite a lack of criminal history, sent him to jail after Cooke’s claims the child was the aggressor, the Illinois newspaper reported.
“On a couple of occasions, I felt I was sexually harassed,” Cooke reportedly testified.
“I think there is psychological evidence children even in their younger years can become interested in sex.”
He pleaded guilty and is said to have served 18 months in custody.
His Airdrie neighbour, David Oakley, said he feels Cooke “is a very nice guy” and says his past is a private matter, although he questions anyone laying blame on a victim.
“I worry about that — how does a four-year-old come onto you?” Oakley wondered.
Jason Craig, dropping his 12-year-old daughter off Saturday at the building where Cooke lives, was shocked by the news.
“We’re dropping kids off to see their grandparents — to have this guy lurking around is kind of creepy,” he said.
“If everybody knows about this guy, then I’m good.”
Van Dusen agreed, especially given he is involved with a local church.
Airdrie Alliance Church officials confirmed Cooke recently began volunteering for an adult ministry and that they intend to investigate the matter.
After being informed of Cooke’s past, the church issued the following statement: “It has just been brought to (our) attention that an individual with an alleged criminal record has been serving in our community food program. While this volunteer had served only once in our food program, the safety and security of all people who attend our programs is of high importance to us.
“We take these matter seriously and are taking steps to address the issue.
“If authorities request further information the church will fully co-operate with them.”
The fact Cooke has anything to do with a church “makes me sick,” Van Dusen said.
“I think anybody who lives in the area should know. There are little girls and little boys and who do you trust more than a minister?
“It’s the worst sin going, to hurt a child.”
Cooke and his wife refused to comment.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb could not comment on the case but said convicted sex offenders end up in Alberta.
“There are occasions when we know about such (individuals) in the community and other occasions where they sneak in under the radar and come to (police) attention in some manner,” he said.
Contact: nadia.moharib@sunmedia.ca
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