JOHN COLEMAN FROM WALLINGTON JAILED FOR GROOMING 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CRIME SPREE

In April 2013, a man from Wallington was sentenced to prison for his involvement in a disturbing grooming case involving a young girl. John Coleman, aged 41 and residing on Carew Road in Wallington, was found guilty of engaging in inappropriate communication with a 13-year-old girl through text messages. The court proceedings took place at Croydon Crown Court, where Coleman received a sentence of 15 months behind bars.

In addition to his prison term, Coleman was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that will be in effect for five years. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, reflecting the severity of his actions. The criminal activity in question occurred on or before June 22, 2011, and involved Coleman sending numerous messages of a sexual nature to the young victim.

The victim recounted that Coleman had given her a teddy bear and flowers, and that he had met her alone on multiple occasions, raising serious concerns about the nature of their interactions. These meetings and exchanges of gifts indicated a pattern of grooming behavior that alarmed authorities and led to his arrest.

Coleman was taken into custody at his residence on July 1, 2011. Following his arrest, he was formally charged with the offenses in November of the same year. The case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from predatory individuals within the community of Wallington.