WATFORD HORSE INSTRUCTOR JAMES COBY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF FOUR YOUNG GIRLS
In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, James Coby, a horse riding instructor from Watford, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing four young female pupils.The court heard how Coby, who had been teaching riding for over 15 years and also engaged in trading horses and renting stables in Mill Hill, North London, and Bushey near Watford, exploited his position of trust to groom and assault vulnerable girls.
One of the most disturbing aspects of the case involved a 13-year-old girl who looked up to Coby as her instructor and mentor.
The incident came to light when she saw him lying on a sofa in a tack room with another 13-year-old girl.
This girl, who had previously been subjected to unwanted advances, recounted how Coby had tried to kiss her and held her down in an attempt to force a kiss.
She described how he towered over her and, despite her protests, managed to peck her on the lips, claiming he had liked her for a long time and that he loved her.
The girl pushed him away, and he stumbled back, after which she left the room.
Her account was corroborated by another girl who, in 2006, had seen Coby with the same 13-year-old girl in a tack room at the Bushey stables.
She described how she had entered the room and found Coby and the girl lying on a sofa, with the girl underneath him, seemingly kissing.
She observed the girl with her arms around Coby, as if pulling him closer, and noted that both appeared unaware of her presence.
Distressed by what she saw, she confided in her family, leading to police involvement.
The girl also reported seeing Coby and the 13-year-old walking out into nearby fields together and noted that he had picked her up from school in his Jaguar.
The police investigation revealed further disturbing details.
The 13-year-old girl told authorities that Coby had attempted to put his tongue in her mouth, touched her down her jodhpurs, and placed his hand inside her bra.
Another victim, a 17-year-old girl, recounted how Coby had tried to kiss her while she was bending over to feed horses at a Mill Hill stable in 2004.
Although she pulled away, she later engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with him.
The fourth girl, who was 16 at the time, described how Coby had kissed her on the lips after giving her a riding book for her 15th birthday in 1999.
She said he stood with his legs on either side of her as she sat on a sofa, told her he loved her, and attempted to kiss her again.
During the incident, he touched her breast over her clothes.
James Coby was arrested in September of the previous year.
He initially claimed that the allegations made by the 15-year-old girl were fabricated because he had sold a horse she liked.
He also denied any inappropriate conduct with the 13-year-old girl, asserting that he had been in a consensual relationship with the third complainant when she was of legal age.
Coby further claimed that the fourth girl had flirted with him and that any physical contact was consensual, suggesting he was the victim of a conspiracy.
However, the court found the evidence against him compelling.
Coby, of Balmoral Road, Watford, was convicted on multiple counts, including sex assaults on four girls, two charges of indecent assault, and five counts of sexual activity with a child.
Judge John Plumstead sentenced him to three years in prison and imposed an indefinite ban on him working with children under the age of 16, emphasizing the severity of his misconduct and the breach of trust involved.
