NEIL COLES FROM PAIGNTON SENTENCED FOR CRUEL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL IN DEVON
In a case that has shocked the community of Paignton and the wider Devon area, Neil Coles, a former scout leader, has been sentenced to a decade in prison for heinous crimes committed against a young girl.The abuse, which took place in the late 2010s, has left a lasting scar on the victim, who was only about seven years old at the time.
Coles, aged 51 and residing on Bidwell Brook Drive in Paignton, was found guilty by a jury in June after a trial that revealed disturbing details of grooming and sexual assault.
The charges included four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The case came to light after the victim, then just eight years old, confided in a friend about the abuse she endured.
Teachers at her school became aware of her disclosures when she was heard talking about the incidents in the playground, prompting immediate police intervention.
Following the reports, authorities launched an investigation, during which the young girl provided a detailed, video-recorded statement describing a pattern of grooming and escalating sexual assaults by Coles.
The evidence painted a disturbing picture of manipulation and cruelty inflicted upon a vulnerable child.
Judge Peter Johnson, presiding over the case at Exeter Crown Court, described Coles as a 'sadistic, selfish, and cruel' individual who appeared oblivious to the harm he caused.
The judge emphasized that Coles was a paedophile who showed no remorse and failed to recognize the damage inflicted.
He declared Coles a dangerous offender, indicating that he would pose a threat to young girls for as long as he remains sexually active.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge Johnson highlighted that Coles had previously been of good character, serving as a scout master and a member of a parent-teacher association, with no prior convictions.
However, the judge noted that Coles's offending behavior had escalated gradually over time, revealing a troubling pattern of long-term characteristics associated with dangerous sexual offenders.
The judge stated, “You seem oblivious to the damage you have done.
You display characteristics frequently seen in paedophiles in your attempts to deflect and minimise responsibility.
These are long-term characteristics and I find that you are a dangerous offender.” As part of his sentence, Coles was sentenced to ten years in prison, with an additional eight-year extended license period.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits any unsupervised contact with children after his release from prison.
Before the sentencing, the victim’s foster mother spoke about the ongoing psychological impact of the abuse on the young girl.
She expressed relief that Coles was now behind bars and shared her pride in her daughter for speaking out.
The foster mother also mentioned that her young charge is gradually overcoming the trauma and is doing well despite the ordeal.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and swift action in protecting children from predators within communities like Paignton and beyond, and it serves as a stark reminder of the devastating effects of such abuse.
