SHAUN COULING SENTENCED IN SWINDON FOR MULTIPLE SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS
A Swindon man named Shaun Couling was sentenced to 50 months in prison after being convicted of abusing his trust to sexually assault young girls and produce indecent images.Prosecutor Anjal Gohil told Gloucester Crown Court that Couling, of The Green, Highworth, built friendships with several women in Swindon and the Cotswolds, which allowed him access to their daughters.
The first victim, aged 11, was the daughter of a female friend whom Couling visited at her home.
During this visit, he inappropriately touched her breasts, bouncing them and warning her not to tell anyone.
On a subsequent occasion, he placed his hand down her pants to touch her private parts, although he did not penetrate her.
The girl knew that Couling had been drinking, and he admitted during police interviews that he was probably intoxicated at the time.
The second girl was photographed topless in her family's pool, with the focus of the image on her breasts rather than her face.
The images, stored on Couling's device, were classified as indecent images of children, with 171 in Category A (the most severe), 237 in Category B, and 1,070 in Category C.
On August 28, 2021, Couling sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl, who was another of his friends' daughters.
Despite her reluctance, she eventually agreed to meet him.
During their time together on the sofa, he offered her gin while he stroked her legs in a sexual manner, an activity that lasted approximately half an hour until her mother arrived home unexpectedly.
Couling had encouraged her not to tell anyone about the abuse.
Couling exploited the trust of his friends, the victims’ mothers, and instructed the girls to keep the abuse secret.
Following his arrest, authorities examined his digital devices and discovered the extensive collection of indecent images.
The mother of the first victim expressed her devastation, saying, "My world has turned upside down.
I didn’t believe it at first.
My emotions go from being angry to feeling utter guilt that I didn’t protect my little girl.
I hope to wake up from this nightmare soon.
My home is no longer the safe place it once was.
Family times no longer happen as my daughter isolates herself.
I have felt so alone during this process.
There appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel.
My daughter is brave, but she won’t speak to me.
I know deep down this isn’t my fault.
I’m scared she will go off the rails if she doesn’t open up to someone." She also apologized directly to her daughter: "I am sorry I have let you down as a mother.
I will always protect you.
I’m so sorry I let a monster into our home.
I will go to my grave blaming myself for what happened." The mother of the second girl said, "I feel betrayed.
This has caused me to question my own judgment as a mother—I got it so wrong.
Now my daughter obsessively locks all the doors and windows and suffers from nightmares.
She still believes that Couling installed cameras around the house." The third mother reflected that she hadn’t protected her daughter enough in front of Couling, and added that her daughter never wore the same clothing from the pool after police showed her the photos taken from Couling’s phone.
Defense lawyer Joe Maloney stated, "You can’t lock people up forever.
Couling may have an interest in young girls, but he has admitted his guilt.
He pleaded guilty due to the strength of the evidence and spared his victims the ordeal of trial.
He was acquitted in a similar case long ago, but that should not be considered in today’s sentencing.
Couling acknowledges his guilt and accepts he will receive a custodial sentence.
He is embarrassed by his actions, and there are measures to prevent this in the future." Judge Ian Lawrie QC interrupted, saying, "Sometimes people are reluctant to admit their frailty.
The court generally looks for remorse and willingness to work with authorities to ensure it never occurs again.
His pre-sentence report shows little acknowledgment of this and appears to minimize his involvement." Couling pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and one of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl on August 28, 2021.
He also admitted to possessing 1,478 indecent images categorized as A, B, and C.
In sentencing, Judge Lawrie acknowledged Couling’s prior acquittal of a similar offence, noting that he must still be considered dangerous under the law.
He explained that despite his guilty plea and past acquittal, the pattern of offending was identical and highly concerning.
Addressing Couling directly, the judge said, "You have previously faced similar charges and were acquitted.
Although you pleaded guilty now, you remain dangerous.
Your actions involved exploiting the trust of the girls’ mothers to gain access to their daughters, touching one girl’s private parts after she said no, and encouraging her to keep quiet.
You also administered gin to the second girl to facilitate your abuse.
Your explanation lacks credibility, and your conduct displays grooming behavior.
It’s clear you have a fixation on young girls for sexual gratification.
Despite your guilty pleas, you have not fully confronted your offenses.
The victims are likely to suffer long-term psychological effects." Judge Lawrie sentenced Couling to four years and two months in custody, extending his parole period by three years, until June 2029, meaning he could be recalled to prison if necessary.
He also ordered Couling to be on the sex offenders register for life and subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
After sentencing, Gloucestershire Police Detective Constable Ross Webb from the Indecent Images Unit commented, "The sentencing of Shaun Couling is welcomed and reflects our commitment to justice.
While it doesn’t erase what his victims endured, it allows them to close this chapter.
We ask the public to respect their privacy and refrain from speculation about their identities."
