SHUAN COULING FROM HIGHWORTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In April 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Shaun Couling, a man from Highworth, who was convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young girls and the possession of indecent images of children. The case was heard at Gloucester Crown Court, where the severity of his actions and the manipulative manner in which he exploited his social connections to gain access to vulnerable victims were laid bare.

Prosecutor Anjal Gohil detailed how Couling, residing on The Green in Highworth, had established relationships with several mothers in the Cotswolds town. These friendships provided him with opportunities to be alone with their daughters, which he exploited for his own depraved purposes. The first victim, an 11-year-old girl, was the daughter of a woman friend. During a visit to the victim’s home, Couling inappropriately touched her breasts, bouncing them up and down, and warned her not to tell anyone about the incident. This act of sexual misconduct was followed by a second assault where he put his hand down her pants, touching her private parts without penetration. The girl was aware that Couling had been drinking alcohol at the time, and he himself admitted during police interviews that he was likely intoxicated during the incident.

The court also heard about a second victim, another young girl, who was photographed in her family’s swimming pool. She was wearing a white top that had become see-through, and the photograph focused on her breasts rather than her face. This act of voyeurism further demonstrated Couling’s predatory behavior.

On August 28, 2021, Couling committed another serious offence involving a 14-year-old girl, who was also the daughter of a friend. Despite her initial reluctance to spend time with him, she eventually agreed to meet. During this encounter, Couling offered her gin and stroked her legs in a sexual manner while they sat on a sofa. The assault lasted approximately half an hour, only ending when the girl’s mother arrived home unexpectedly. Throughout these incidents, Couling betrayed the trust placed in him by the mothers of his victims, urging the girls to keep their experiences secret and not to tell anyone about what had happened.

Following his arrest, authorities examined Couling’s digital devices and uncovered a large collection of indecent images of children. The images were categorized into three severity levels: 171 images of Category A, considered the most severe, 237 images of Category B, and a staggering 1,070 images of Category C. Couling pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 in the Cotswolds area, the sexual assault of the 14-year-old girl on August 28, 2021, and possession of 1,478 indecent images across all categories.

During sentencing, Judge Lawrie acknowledged that Couling had previously been acquitted of a similar offence in Hampshire, which initially suggested he might be of good character. However, the judge emphasized that the circumstances of the previous case were identical to the current offences, leading to a conclusion that Couling was a dangerous individual under the law. The judge highlighted that Couling’s pattern of exploiting friendships with the victims’ mothers to gain access and commit these crimes was particularly troubling. He detailed how Couling had touched a young girl’s private parts despite her protests and had instructed her to keep silent about the abuse. The judge also pointed out the disturbing evidence of grooming and manipulation, including Couling’s attempt to weaken the second victim’s defenses by offering her alcohol and engaging in inappropriate physical contact for an extended period.

Despite his guilty pleas, Couling’s attitude towards his actions remained unrepentant, and he failed to acknowledge the full extent of his misconduct. The impact on the victims was also a significant concern, with victim impact statements indicating long-term psychological effects. Judge Lawrie described Couling as a threat to children and sentenced him to a custodial term of four years and two months. Additionally, he extended Couling’s parole period by three years, meaning he could be recalled to prison until June 2029 if necessary. Couling was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to society.