CORAN WELLS SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN STORNOWAY AND EDINBURGH

Coran Wells, a 22-year-old man from Stornoway, has been convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offenses committed against two women, with the incidents spanning from the Hebridean island to Edinburgh. Despite the gravity of his charges, Wells was released on bail six times, raising concerns about the justice system's handling of repeat offenders.

Wells's criminal history includes a range of offenses such as threatening behavior, drug-related crimes, vandalism, theft, and breaches of bail conditions. His previous convictions, coupled with his recent actions, highlight a troubling pattern of misconduct. The case drew particular attention because Wells was granted bail on two occasions at Stornoway Sheriff Court and four at Inverness Sheriff Court, even after being accused of serious sexual crimes.

The most recent allegations involve Wells attacking a sleeping woman during a trip to a Hebridean island, where he used force, pulled her towards him, and committed a sexual assault. During the trial, it was revealed that Wells had denied multiple charges but was ultimately convicted of one sexual assault and one rape. The court heard disturbing details of the assault, including that Wells raped the woman while she was unconscious, and that he had previously molested a teenage girl in Stornoway.

Judge Lady Poole, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the charges, stating, "These are clearly very serious charges committed against two separate women." She highlighted that Wells had used force and inappropriate touching during the assault, and that he had continued to deny responsibility despite overwhelming evidence.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lady Poole addressed Wells directly, outlining the details of his crimes. She recounted that his first victim was a 17-year-old girl whom he had met that day, and he sexually assaulted her on a sofa. The second victim was a 39-year-old woman who had taken Wells into her home and provided him with a place to sleep. She was intoxicated and in a state of unconsciousness when Wells engaged in sexual intercourse with her, despite her inability to consent. The woman sustained bruises afterward, and both victims were left distressed and traumatized by Wells’s actions.

Lady Poole pointed out that Wells committed these offenses while he was on bail, which compounded the seriousness of his misconduct. She noted that Wells, at the time of the offenses, was only 20 years old, but had already accumulated a significant criminal record, including previous detention periods, some lasting up to 18 months. His record also includes threats, drug offenses, vandalism, theft, and breaches of bail conditions.

In her sentencing remarks, Lady Poole acknowledged Wells’s troubled upbringing and addiction issues, which she said might offer some hope for rehabilitation. She also recognized that Wells had obtained some qualifications and engaged in work while on remand, and claimed he had given up drugs during that period. Despite these factors, she emphasized that the nature of his crimes warranted a substantial prison sentence.

Wells was sentenced to five years in prison, with an additional one-year extension on license, meaning he will be under supervision after his release. The sentence was backdated to June 29, 2021, the date he was first remanded. The court also ordered that Wells be subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period, and his name has been added to the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with vulnerable groups.

Lady Poole concluded her remarks by stressing the importance of accountability and the need to protect the community from individuals like Wells, whose actions have caused significant harm to their victims and society at large.