GARETH COLEMAN FROM EBBW VALE JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES IN NEWPORT
In a case that has shocked the community of Ebbw Vale, Gareth Coleman, a 37-year-old resident of Greenfield Crescent, Beaufort, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children.The incident came to light in October 2019 when police officers executed a raid on his residence, uncovering three images classified as Category C, which depict children engaged in sexual activities.
Following his arrest, Coleman appeared before Newport Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court proceedings revealed that the offense was committed on October 30, during the police raid.
As part of the court’s ruling, Coleman was subjected to a stringent seven-year sexual harm prevention order, which imposes significant restrictions on his future conduct.
Under the terms of this order, Coleman is prohibited from residing in the same household as any child under the age of 16.
Additionally, he is barred from entering or remaining in any premises where a child under 16 is present unless he has received explicit approval from local social services.
The order also severely limits his access to computers or any electronic devices capable of connecting to the internet, aiming to prevent further offenses.
Magistrates highlighted that Coleman’s criminal behavior occurred while he was already under the supervision of two community orders.
These previous orders were related to offenses of assault by beating and cannabis production.
The court noted with concern that Coleman had shown poor compliance with these orders, and there was little confidence that he would adhere to any future restrictions.
As part of his sentencing, Coleman was sentenced to a total of 19 weeks in prison.
Upon release, he is required to pay a victim surcharge of £122.
Furthermore, he is mandated to register as a sex offender until the year 2026, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and restrictions to protect the community from potential harm.
