COLIN COLDHAM SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR EVIL CRIMES IN HULL
In a case that has shocked the community of Hull, 63-year-old Colin Coldham has been handed a lengthy prison sentence of 15 years after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving two young girls.The offences, which spanned over two decades from 1962 to 1982, included six counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape, all committed at various addresses within the city.
Coldham, residing on The Queensway, Hall Road, was brought before Hull Crown Court where the jury found him guilty of the charges.
The court heard that his actions had inflicted lasting trauma on the victims, with the crimes involving prolonged periods of abuse.
The judge presiding over the case, Peter Morrell, expressed his deep disapproval of Coldham’s conduct, describing it as 'evil.' During sentencing, Judge Morrell acknowledged Coldham’s age and health issues, including angina and an asbestos-related disease, and considered reducing the sentence.
However, he ultimately decided against it, emphasizing that the severity and wickedness of Coldham’s crimes warranted a full and harsh punishment.
The judge stated, 'When they were young, you subjected both of these girls to a campaign of indecency over many years.
For one, it involved very serious indecent assaults which would be visited now with substantial periods of imprisonment.
And for the other, it went beyond that.
For years, you raped her two or three times a week, and she was a child.
That was wicked.' He further added, 'You took away their innocence, and they carry with them to this day the mental scars of what you did.' The court heard that Coldham’s crimes had caused irreparable damage to the victims’ lives.
Despite his age and health concerns, the judge emphasized that justice must be served, stating, 'I have considered carefully whether your age or infirmity should affect the sentence.
I have concluded it would be wrong to do so in light of the evil of what you did.' Colin Coldham was sentenced to three years each for four counts of indecent assault and two years each for two counts of indecent assault.
For the two counts of rape, he received a sentence of 15 years each.
All sentences are to run concurrently, meaning Coldham will serve a minimum of seven and a half years before being eligible for parole.
The court also noted that if his health deteriorates to the point where continued imprisonment would be considered cruel or inhumane, an application for his release could be made.
It is important to note that Coldham was acquitted of six other charges, including two counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape, for which the jury found him not guilty.
As part of his ongoing legal obligations, Coldham is now registered on the sex offenders register and is permanently banned from working with children, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the community’s need for protection.
