January 2020 Paedophile policeman from Higham Ferrers streamed child sexual abuse videos A police special from Higham Ferrers who was “addicted” to watching sexual abuse videos involving children as young as four has been spared jail Ross Coleman, 42, said he started streaming the vile material as “a form of escapism” after he found himself in financial trouble. At the time of his offending he was a serving special sergeant for Northamptonshire Police’s safer roads team, but later resigned. Today Leicester Crown Court heard Coleman, formerly of Bates Close but now of Wharf Road, was arrested at his family home in October 2018. Police seized a number of items and the dad-of-three handed over his personal phone. On it were a number of thumbnail images representing videos he had been watching on his Smart TV. Prosecutor Joey Kwong said an inspection of the device found 80 indecent images of children, of which 45 were the most severe (category A) with 20 category B files and 15 in category C. The files showed sexual abuse of girls as young as four-years-old and had been downloaded over a two-year period. Coleman – who is unemployed having left his job as an Asda delivery driver in Brackmills – gave no comment answers when questioned by police before admitting three counts of indecent image offences before Christmas. Coleman, who was supported in court by his parents who have taken him in after he was kicked out by his partner, nodded in the dock as Judge Rhona Campbell told him many child sex offences were down to people like him. She said: “These are crimes with victims. If people like you did not sit in your house watching this material there would not be any need for any poor little girls to be taken from their homes and be sexually exploited. “They are because there is a market for people like you to watch this stuff. “They are someone’s daughter…they are all lives that have been affected by this type of offending.” Mr Lee said Coleman has since been to his GP to “fight his demons” and his “addiction” to child sex images – and it was the steps he had taken to address his behaviour that the judge put down to “just” being convinced to suspend his prison sentence. Coleman’s one-year spell behind bars was suspended for 18 months and he must take part in 120 hours of unpaid work. The disgraced former police special must also take part in 35 days of rehabilitation activities and will be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order restricting his internet use. Northamptonshire Police have been contacted for comment.