Malcolm Coles

Malcolm Coles, aged 68, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of serious sexual offences committed against a young girl in Sittingbourne more than 25 years ago. The case came to light in 2015 when the victim, who had endured the abuse during her childhood, bravely reported the incidents to the police. Coles, who had since relocated to Wales, was arrested and faced trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

The offences included one count of rape, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child. Coles was acquitted on two charges of rape, three of indecent assault, and one of indecency with a child. During the abuse, Coles repeatedly molested the girl and eventually raped her while under the influence of alcohol. The victim recounted in her statement how Coles would ask her if she was enjoying it, before becoming sick after the assault. The judge highlighted the profound and lasting impact on the victim's life, including psychological problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, flashbacks, night terrors, and feelings of shame and low self-esteem.

In her victim impact statement, read out in court, the woman explained her decision to come forward: "My reason for coming forward now is a personal thing. Having lived with the burden of shame all my life, I now want to put the shame back on him. I feel there is still a stigma why people don’t come forward. If I can speak up for the child and help just one person it will be worth it." Judge Martin Joy praised her courage, stating: "That is an attitude which demonstrates a woman of character. It can only be characterised as courageous." Addressing Coles directly, the judge remarked on his denial of the charges: "I hope she will benefit from the fact the jury saw through your lies and you were found guilty. Your defence was essentially ludicrous. You called her a liar and it does you no credit at all. You should be deeply ashamed. This was a disgraceful course of misconduct and a crime committed for a lengthy period of time."

Coles, who now suffers from serious physical and mental health problems, will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. The case underscores the long-term effects of child sexual abuse and the importance of victims speaking out, as reported by KentOnline on 24 October 2017.