MICHAEL COULTER FROM NEWCASTLE CAUGHT IN HORRIFIC ONLINE CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL
In July 2018, authorities issued a stark warning regarding the dangers of the Live.Me application following the arrest of a man involved in heinous online child exploitation.The individual, identified as Michael Coulter, a pensioner residing in Newcastle, was found to have engaged in disturbing activities that could have led to the abuse of children across the globe, all from the comfort of his own home.
Police investigations revealed that Coulter had been operating under the guise of a teenage boy, using the platform to contact numerous vulnerable young girls.
His Newcastle flat served as the hub for his illicit activities, where he used his iPad to stream live videos of child abuse and to record indecent images of minors.
These recordings were made on a live-streaming site, which he exploited to groom and manipulate his victims.
The case came to light thanks to the vigilance of a concerned mother from the North East.
She discovered messages from Coulter on her daughter’s phone and promptly contacted the police.
This crucial tip-off led to a swift investigation by Northumbria Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT).
On the morning of Coulter’s arrest, officers had exclusive access to the scene, witnessing firsthand the extent of his online activities.
Detectives have since revealed that Coulter’s online presence was extensive.
To his neighbors in Kenton, Coulter appeared to be an ordinary, harmless pensioner.
However, behind closed doors, he dedicated approximately five hours each day to the LiveMe app, which is notably popular among teenagers.
Under the alias ‘Geordie Mike,’ Coulter would engage with underage girls, making sexual demands and grooming them for abuse, as detailed during his court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court.
Over nearly 14 years, Coulter accumulated a vast collection of child abuse images.
Police seized his computers and electronic devices, uncovering over 10,000 images and videos stored on his hard drives.
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks explained that Coulter had established around 1,500 contacts on the app, predominantly young girls.
To boost his profile, he spent approximately £50 each month on ‘diamonds,’ a form of cryptocurrency used on LiveMe, which he gifted to elevate his streaming status.
Once his profile was prominent, Coulter would issue disturbing demands, including one where he told two young girls, “I want more booby.” He was identified as the “principal contributor of diamonds” during a particular stream watched by dozens of perverts, where a girl, believed to be around nine years old, was sexually assaulted.
In another instance, Coulter deceived a 17-year-old girl into showering for him, with the court noting that she addressed him as if he were a young male.
Further evidence showed Coulter’s grooming tactics extended beyond the app.
He sent gifts, including toys, to some of the girls’ homes, and engaged in exchanges of explicit images on grubby online forums with other paedophiles.
He even purchased some images for $15 from a pervert he met via Skype, illustrating the extent of his depravity.
His arrest occurred in October at his residence on Rosslyn Avenue.
Police officers found Coulter watching a LiveMe stream on his iPad, with multiple devices seized from his home.
The arrest was initiated after officers responded to the mother’s report and traced the phone number involved to Newcastle.
Despite living alone, Coulter was considered a significant threat due to his contact with minors, prompting a low-key early morning raid.
During questioning at Forth Banks Police Station, Coulter remained composed as he was charged with nine counts, including distributing and making indecent photographs of children, and inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He pleaded guilty to all charges at Newcastle Crown Court.
Last week, Coulter was sentenced to eight years in prison, with an additional five-year extension.
He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Judge Robert Spragg described Coulter’s actions as “every parent’s worst nightmare,” emphasizing the danger posed by online predators and stating that Coulter will only be released if deemed safe by the parole board.
The investigation continues to identify potential victims worldwide, highlighting the far-reaching impact of Coulter’s crimes.
