RICHARD COWARD SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN SOUTH PETHERTON

In November 2018, a deeply disturbing case of long-term sexual abuse emerged from South Petherton, near Yeovil, involving a man named Richard Coward. The victim, Harley, who is now 25 years old, bravely shared her harrowing experience of being subjected to repeated sexual assaults by her mother’s boyfriend during her formative years.

Harley recounted that her ordeal began when Coward moved into their family home in South Petherton. She was only eight years old at the time, and the abuse started when she was 12. She described the abuse as relentless, with Coward taking advantage of her trust on a daily basis. The assaults took place within the confines of their family residence, a place that should have been a sanctuary but instead became the site of her suffering.

She vividly expressed the profound impact of these events, stating, “He took away my childhood in the worst possible way.” Her trust was systematically broken down as Coward manipulated her with acts of kindness, such as giving her treats, which she later recognized as grooming tactics designed to gain her confidence. In her victim impact statement, Harley reflected on how the abuse not only scarred her physically and emotionally but also severely damaged her relationship with her mother. She explained that before Coward’s arrival, she shared a close and loving bond with her mother, but his presence sowed discord and mistrust, pushing them apart and straining their relationship.

Harley’s ordeal persisted until she and her mother decided to escape their abusive environment. When she was 19, they fled their South Petherton home after Coward physically assaulted her, punching her during an argument. Although she reported the physical assault to authorities, she chose not to disclose the sexual abuse at that time, believing she could handle it alone. However, the emotional toll and the weight of her secret became overwhelming, prompting her to confide in her mother about the sexual abuse years later. This revelation led to Coward’s arrest in 2016.

Following his arrest, Harley and her mother endured a lengthy wait for justice. The trial was finally scheduled two years later, and it lasted for a week. During the proceedings, only Harley and her mother provided evidence, which was an emotionally exhausting experience for both. Harley described sitting behind a screen for two and a half hours to give her testimony, feeling the unsettling presence of Coward standing just in front of her, coughing and making noises as she spoke. The entire process was described as one of the most challenging periods of her life.

On October 19, at Bristol Crown Court, Richard Coward was convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault and rape. The jury found him guilty of three sexual assault charges and nine rape charges, leading to a sentence of 20 years in prison. Harley expressed her satisfaction with the sentence, noting that she had anticipated a much shorter term. She also remarked that, based on previous cases, she believed Coward could have received a total of 83 years if all his convictions were served consecutively.

Harley’s detailed account of her suffering and her courage in coming forward serve as a stark reminder of the importance of speaking out against abuse. Her story highlights the devastating effects such crimes can have on victims and underscores the necessity of justice. Despite the long road to conviction, her resilience has helped bring her abuser to justice, offering some measure of closure after years of silence and pain.