RICHMOND SEX ATTACKER AVOIDS JAIL DESPITE GUILTY VERDICT
A 'depraved' child sex attacker in denial about his actions, Dale Coulton, who still denies he committed a sex act on a primary school-aged girl despite being found guilty by a jury last month, walked free from Durham Crown Court on Friday, July 25.Coulton, aged 28 and of Coronation Place in Richmond, was handed a sentence consisting of a seven-month jail term suspended for two years.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for ten years, and must complete a sex offenders’ programme, be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for ten years, and sign the sex offenders’ register for a decade.
During the court proceedings, Coulton wore a black suit and tie, showing no emotion as he listened to the victim’s parents describe the turmoil he caused.
The victim’s mother, outside court, criticized the sentence, calling it a ‘joke’ and expressing her frustration that Coulton still does not accept responsibility, saying, “He did that to my daughter and gets to walk away free.
He still doesn’t even accept that he did it.” The judge, Richard Bennett, described his victim as a clearly ‘vulnerable girl’ and acknowledged Coulton’s claims of having a troubled childhood with neglect, abuse, and significant intellectual disabilities, stating he is ‘less intelligent than 99.5 per cent of your peers,’ and highlighted Coulton’s continued denial of the offence.
Despite these mitigating factors, the judge emphasized that Coulton's actions were wrong and that he was responsible, though he opted for a suspended sentence, warning he will face repercussions if he reoffends.
The court also mandated Coulton to complete 30 days of rehab and participate in a sex offender’s programme, with restrictions on contact with children.
The victim’s family expressed deep disappointment with the outcome, calling the sentence a ‘joke’ and stating their hope for their daughter to recover and forget what Coulton did to her.
