KEITH COOMBER SENT BACK TO PRISON IN KETTERING AFTER VICTIMS COME FORWARD
A 58-year-old man named Keith Coomber, formerly residing in Kettering, has been re-incarcerated following the emergence of new allegations from three women who came forward with accounts of sexual assault committed by him.Coomber’s criminal history includes a previous conviction from February 2021, when he pleaded guilty to two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a person suffering from a mental disorder that impaired their ability to consent.
These offenses were linked to incidents that occurred in 2019, during which he sexually assaulted a vulnerable woman.
As a result, he was sentenced to three years in prison.
Northamptonshire Police’s Corporate Communications Team issued a press release highlighting Coomber’s conviction and subsequent sentencing.
This public announcement prompted three other women, who had been victims of his past offenses, to come forward and share their experiences.
Their bravery in speaking out led to a renewed investigation into Coomber’s actions.
Following this new inquiry, Coomber was charged with additional offenses, including 19 counts of indecent assault.
Several of these charges involved digital penetration, indicating the severity and nature of his misconduct.
In a court hearing held at Northampton Crown Court in September, Coomber pleaded guilty to 12 of these charges.
Today, on December 15, he appeared again before the court, where he was sentenced to a term of six years and nine months in prison.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that two of the women had been subjected to Coomber’s abuse on multiple occasions.
One of these victims was a vulnerable teenager in foster care at the time of the assaults.
The court also heard powerful victim impact statements, which vividly described the profound and lasting effects of Coomber’s actions.
One victim described how Coomber’s abuse was subtle yet manipulative, “He was subtle - inappropriately and cleverly subtle,” she said.
“Just enough to not be right but not quite enough to settle the doubt in myself.
It was little and often, for years.
I used to wash and wash and wash and yet still feel dirty.” Another woman expressed feelings of worthlessness and despair, stating, “I felt worthless, unloved, unwanted, isolated, lonely, angry, scared, helpless and hopeless.
No amount of punishment will change the damage you have done.
Your sentence will never come close to the sentence I have endured.” The third woman, in her twenties, recounted an incident where she was sexually assaulted at Coomber’s house while on a work visit.
She described how he pushed her against a wall and kissed her before she managed to escape.
Detective Sergeant Robert Johnson, the lead investigator, praised the courage of the victims, saying, “The bravery displayed by these women has been extraordinary.
They have called upon strength they should never have had to find, and I hope that they recognize just how incredible they have been in reporting this abuse to us and supporting an investigation which has resulted in their abuser being sent to prison.” He further emphasized the manipulative nature of Coomber’s abuse, describing him as a “dangerous sexual predator” whose methods were subtle, calculating, and manipulative.
“I am so pleased that he has been put back in prison,” Johnson added.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is a matter of priority for Northamptonshire Police, and we will continue working hard to put people like Coomber behind bars.” Victims’ statements concluded with messages of resilience and survival.
One woman declared, “You broke me at 18.
Your actions very nearly killed me.
I will not allow you to break me again.
I am a victim, I will always have been a victim, but I am more so a fighter.” Another expressed hope and strength, saying, “Please know that I survived and I made it.
Please know that I will never fail.
Yes I was a victim, but above all I am a survivor.”
