A financial adviser who once included celebrities among his clients has been jailed for seven years for a range of offences including sexual assault.
Frank Cochran, a financial adviser based in Staffordshire who employed 13 people, was found guilty of assault by penetration, using controlling and coercive behaviour and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment at Stafford Crown Court.
Cochran, aged 60, was sentenced to four years for assault by penetration and a further three years for the harrassment and controlling and coercive behaviour offences, after a two week trial.
He was told he would serve the second half of his sentence on licence and was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
Cochran was found not guilty of five counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration and a further count of sexual assault by touching.
The court heard during the trial that Cochran, of Marston, Church Eaton, near Stafford, left his victim ‘a shadow of her former self.’
Cochran was described as a successful businessman who thrived on being in control and being shown respect.
He employs 13 people at his business in Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton.
The victim told the court she had been left heavily bruised and had been bullied and manipulated. She reported her concerns and showed bruises to her doctor.
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Cochran’s controlling and coercive behaviour had included squeezing her neck, pinching her, threatening to kill her and striking her to the eye with an elbow.
She also said Cochran had kicked her under a table, whilst in company, to control her.
Cochran had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of a Taser, which he had bought while on holiday in Florida in March 2014, and received a 12-month sentence suspended for two years. His victim said he had used this to scare her.
Judge Gosling, sentencing, said Cochran’s arrogance was thinly disguised and he wanted to be in total charge of those around him.
He told Cochran: “You have a talent for finances and exude self-confidence, but you are superior and arrogant. You have fallen from a great height.”
Detective Constable Gareth Jones, of Staffordshire Police, said: “I welcome today’s verdict and, in particular, commend the courage it took for the victim to come forward and give her evidence.
“We will always do whatever it takes to bring offenders to justice, while ensuring victims and their families are offered the support they need.”
Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse, or suspects others may be subject to sexual abuse, is urged to contact Staffordshire Police on 101.
Alternatively, the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
