BRANDON AND STANLEY MAN AKHTAR HASSAN AND MURIEL COLEMAN SENTENCED FOR ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION IN DURHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Brandon and Stanley in County Durham, a woman named Muriel Coleman and a man named Akhtar Hassan have been brought to justice for their involvement in heinous sexual crimes involving a vulnerable under-age girl. The incident, which unfolded in early 2014, revealed a disturbing pattern of exploitation driven by financial desperation and a blatant disregard for the victim's well-being.

Muriel Coleman, a resident of Brandon, Durham, played a central role in orchestrating the abuse. She arranged clandestine meetings between the under-age girl and Akhtar Hassan, whose family owned the house where the girl was living. The circumstances that led to this arrangement stemmed from Coleman's own financial struggles; she had fallen just over £1,000 behind on her rent payments despite receiving state housing benefits. Her motivation appeared to be driven by her need to settle her debts, which ultimately led her to facilitate the abuse.

The court heard that Coleman’s actions were not passive; she actively organized and encouraged the meetings, knowing full well the danger they posed to the young girl. During the trial, Judge Simon Hickey condemned her behavior, stating, "You exploited her, facilitating these awful acts against her. Why, is the obvious question. The answer was provided in the trial – you were in debt. You think only of yourself and not much for any other." The judge also expressed skepticism about Coleman's claims of ignorance, rejecting her assertions that she was unaware of Hassan’s actions while he was alone with the girl.

Akhtar Hassan, a 37-year-old man from Stanley, was the primary perpetrator of the sexual abuse. The court was told that Hassan repeatedly raped the girl and subjected her to a series of sickening sexual acts over a period of three months in the early part of the previous year. During this time, Hassan’s family and children were abroad in Pakistan, which he exploited to carry out his crimes without immediate interference.

Hassan, who denied all charges, was ultimately convicted after a jury trial of four counts of rape and one count of attempted rape. The evidence against him included DNA found on bedding, which linked him to the crimes. During police interviews, Hassan claimed that his DNA was on the bedding because he had sex with Coleman, not the girl, and that Coleman had asked him for a loan of a few hundred pounds, which he was unable to provide immediately. He suggested that Coleman’s anger over this was the reason she tried to frame him for the girl’s assault. However, the jury rejected Hassan’s explanations and found him guilty of all charges.

Following their convictions, both Coleman and Hassan were sentenced to significant prison terms. Hassan received a 13-year sentence, while Coleman was sentenced to eight years. Additionally, both individuals are required to register as sex offenders and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

As the pair was led away to begin their sentences, Judge Hickey paid tribute to the resilience of the young victim, describing her as a "remarkable" young woman who had to relive her trauma in court. The judge expressed hope that she would be able to move forward and put the ordeal behind her as much as possible. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and support for vulnerable individuals in society.