‘Totally remorseless' killer paedophile Sidney Cooke FAILS in bid to be released from prison aged 98
KILLER paedophile Sidney Cooke has failed in a jail release bid aged 98.
The oldest UK lag to have a parole hearing was denied freedom — or a move to open prison.
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The former fairground worker was part of a paedophile gang jailed over the 1985 killing of abducted Jason Swift, 14, in Hackney, East London.
He was released in 1998, but jailed for life soon after for abusing two brothers in the 1970s.
His paedophile 'Dirty Dozen' gang was suspected of abducting and killing 17 boys.
A source said: ' Cooke will be devastated, though it is clearly the right decision.
'He is totally remorseless and not rehabilitated at all.
'People like him will never change.'
It was his twelfth release bid.
And a spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel refused the release of Sidney Cooke following a paper review.
'The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison.
'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.
'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.
'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'
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Prolific paedophile
SIDNEY Cooke is one of Britain's most infamous paedophiles, known for leading a gang of child abusers responsible for some of the country's most horrific crimes.
Born in 1927, Cooke worked as a fairground worker, travelling across the UK with his 'Test Your Strength' machine.
This job allowed him to move frequently and target vulnerable boys, often gaining their trust with sweets and promises of fairground rides.
Cooke was the ringleader of a group later dubbed the 'Dirty Dozen,' a gang of paedophiles who preyed on young boys, often those from troubled backgrounds or living on the streets.
Operating out of a flat in Hackney's Kingsmead estate, the gang lured, drugged, and raped children, sometimes leading to their deaths.
His most infamous crime was the brutal abuse and murder of 14-year-old Jason Swift in 1985. Cooke and his gang took turns sexually assaulting Jason after each paying £5.
When Jason died from the abuse, they dumped his body in Essex. Cooke was convicted of Jason's manslaughter in 1989 and sentenced to 19 years, though he served only nine before being released in 1998.
His release sparked public outrage, and within months, police arrested him again for abusing two teenage brothers in the 1970s.
In 1999, Cooke pleaded guilty to ten charges, including rape and indecent assault, and received two life sentences.
Now in his late 90s, Cooke remains in prison. Detectives believe he and his gang may be linked to up to 17 child murders, including the disappearance of seven-year-old Mark Tildesley, whose body has never been found.
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