SEAN COUGHLAN, FORMER WALSALL COUNCIL LEADER, PLEADS GUILTY TO CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WOLVERHAMPTON
Sean Coughlan, the former leader of Walsall Council, has admitted to committing two child sex offences.The 65-year-old pleaded guilty to one count of sexual communication and another of attempted sexual activity with a minor under 16.
These charges relate to incidents between August and December 2021.
Coughlan appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday and changed his previous not guilty plea to guilty.
No request for bail was made, and with a trial previously scheduled for July 18, his sentencing will now occur in four weeks.
Coughlan, who resides on Martin Drive in Short Heath, Willenhall, remains in custody until then.
Coughlan was the elected representative for the Willenhall South ward but resigned in December after his arrest.
His arrest followed an internet sting where self-styled paedophile hunters confronted him, recording a 30-minute video of the encounter, which was shared on social media.
Following this, West Midlands Police charged him, and he spent Christmas in custody.
A Walsall Council spokesperson stated, "The council received Councillor Sean Coughlan’s written notice of resignation from his office as a councillor.
His resignation was formally and immediately accepted.
He is no longer a Walsall MBC councillor." Coughlan was first elected in 1995 and maintained his seat through multiple re-elections, the most recent being in May of this year.
Throughout his career, he rose to serve as deputy leader and later leader of both his party and Walsall Council, holding the latter position from 2016 to 2018.
He stepped down as leader of the Walsall Labour Group in 2019.
It is also understood that Councillor Coughlan was suspended from the Labour Party following his arrest.
