STEPHEN COULTER FROM WEYMOUTH JAILED IN BOURNEMOUTH FOR CHILD ABUSE CRIMES
In a significant legal development, Stephen Coulter, a man previously residing in Weymouth, has been sentenced to three years in prison following his conviction for serious sexual offenses committed against a young girl over a decade ago.The case was heard at Dorchester Crown Court, where Coulter, aged 50, was found guilty by a jury of two counts of indecent assault involving a seven-year-old girl.
The incidents in question date back to a period between December 4, 1997, and December 3, 1998, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the abuse.
According to the victim’s testimony, Coulter, who at the time was living on Buxton Road, forced her to sit on him while he was naked during the night when she was staying at his flat.
She also recounted that the following day, he indecently assaulted her while she was in the bath.
These allegations paint a troubling picture of exploitation and abuse by Coulter, who denied entering the girl’s bedroom on the night in question and also denied the assault in the bathroom during the trial.
Prosecutor Tim Bradbury confirmed Coulter’s guilt on June 21, 2011, stating, “Coulter was found guilty of two charges of indecent assault.” The court heard that Coulter had previously served a five-year prison sentence for other sexual offenses that occurred after 1998.
During the sentencing hearing at Bournemouth Crown Court, Coulter’s defense, represented by Timothy Shorter, argued that imposing another custodial sentence would be unjust.
Shorter emphasized that Coulter had already served a substantial prison term and had completed relevant courses, suggesting that further imprisonment would serve little purpose.
He explained, “He has served a substantial prison sentence with everything that goes with that.
A custodial sentence will mean he will go back to prison and no work will be done with him.
They will say: ‘He has done all the courses and there is no point in doing them again’.
Then after a period of time he will come out with no home, no prospects for a job and the country will have simply punished him without achieving anything in my respectful submission.” However, Judge Samuel Wiggs addressed Coulter directly, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses.
“This was very serious.
It was a young child and you had a position of responsibility,” the judge stated.
He also noted that he could not determine what sentence would have been imposed if the previous court had been aware of these offenses.
Ultimately, Judge Wiggs sentenced Coulter to a total of three years in prison, reflecting the seriousness of the crimes committed.
It is important to note that Coulter is already registered on the Sex Offenders Register and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his activities and protect the public from further harm.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of the justice system to address and penalize sexual offenses, especially those involving vulnerable children, and highlights the importance of safeguarding measures for victims and the community at large.
