Western Downs man Jeffrey Cocup pleads guilty to assaulting little girl, grabbing her chest

After a regional Queensland man was sentenced for forcibly groping a little girl at a birthday party, a court was told the victim hadn’t been the same since.

Jeffrey Cocup leaving the Toowoomba Court house after pleading guilty to groping a little girl's chest at a birthday party.

A regional Queensland man who forcibly groped an eight-year-old child’s breasts at a birthday party has pleaded guilty to the crime before a Toowoomba court.

Western Downs man Jeffrey Cocup was originally charged with the indecent treatment of a child, however a replacement charge of common assault was brought before the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, August 19.

The regional Queensland man pleaded guilty to assaulting the little girl while he was a guest at a different child’s birthday party at a Western Downs and Banana Shire property in early 2023.

The court was told a number of witnesses saw the then 27-year-old squeeze the girl’s chest from behind, including an adult male who allegedly confronted Cocup, punching him in the face at the party.

Jeffrey Cocup leaving the Toowoomba Court house after pleading guilty to groping a little girl's chest at a birthday party.

Cocup fled the property, however his mother said he was again assaulted at their home.

When police took up with Cocup after the child’s family reported the incident, he denied touching the eight-year-old girl.

Crown prosecutor Emily Coley said during the assault the girl was uncomfortable and felt pain in her chest.

“It was very brazen conduct occurring in public essentially,” she said.

Ms Coley said the child’s victim impact statement showed the assault had a “significant impact” on her and her family.

“Particularly withdrawing… from being such a social child as she (once) was,” she said.

“Her mother speaks to nightmares as well that have been occurring since.

“And there’s also impacts on the family as a whole.”

The 29-year-old had two entries on his criminal record which were trespassing and stealing offences.

Taroom man, Jeffrey Cocup, was originally charges the indecent treatment of a child under 10, however a replacement charge of common assault was brought before the Toowoomba District Court on Monday, August 19.

Defence barrister Nathan Edridge, instructed by L Reed and Associates, said the actions of the disability pensioner on that day were “out of character”, noting his client received injuries which included a black eye.

“The facts are accepted and I will not say any more about the offending conduct,” he said.

“I would only ask that your honour keeps in mind the fitting proportion between the (assault) offence from which he is being convicted and the penalty that is imposed,” he said.

Mr Edridge said Cocup lived a “small life”, and didn’t get out much because of his lifelong epilepsy diagnosis.

“He assists his mother and his father… with their activities of daily living,” he said.

He noted letterers tender in support of Cocup said he was, “generally considered a person that is good with children and is trusted… to spend time with children,” he said.

“He has no real need for supervision, he doesn’t have any difficulties with his mental health… which would cause your honour to impose probation.

“I do submit that this (offending conduct) is an aberration.”

Mr Edridge said given Cocup did not drive, it would be difficult for him to comply with any reporting conditions if he were subject to a probation order.

The court heard Jeffrey Cocup was not working and would be on the pension for the rest of his life because he had epilepsy and could not drive.

Judge Alexander Horneman-Wren SC told Cocup he committed a serious, brazen, and opportunistic crime that caused a child physical and physiological pain.

“I don’t want to dismiss the seriousness of the assault you did commit on an eight-year-old girl,” he said.

“She’s because more withdrawn, she has outbursts of anger, she blames herself for all that’s happened since which is no doubt seeing a family that is disrupted and torn by all of this.

“Even though one might say that the offending was not of a more serious nature that we often see, that doesn’t mean the effects aren’t going to ripple outwards in a way that is still significant.”

He commended Cocup on his early plea which saved the child from having to stand trial and be cross-examined.

Judge Horneman-Wren sentenced Cocup to be of good behaviour for nine months, and if not, he would be fined $500 and re-sentenced.

No conviction was recorded.