PATRICK COLEMAN, CHILD KILLER FROM BELFAST, SENT BACK TO PRISON AFTER ATTACK IN NORTHERN IRELAND

In a case that has once again brought the spotlight onto a notorious criminal, Patrick Coleman, a man with a dark and violent past, has been sentenced to six years in prison for a serious indecent assault committed in Belfast. This incident marks Coleman's fourth return to incarceration, highlighting the ongoing challenges of managing his dangerous behavior.

Patrick Coleman, aged 53, is widely known for his heinous crime committed in 1975, when he was convicted of the murder of 8-year-old Barbara Leatham in Lurgan. His life sentence for that murder was served many years ago, but his criminal record continues to be marred by subsequent offenses. Coleman, who has no fixed address, was released from prison under a license in January 2004, a decision that would later prove to be controversial.

According to reports presented at Belfast Crown Court, police officers had to intervene in a tense situation in north Belfast in 2005. Coleman was involved in an attack on a middle-aged woman, which prompted a rescue operation by law enforcement. The woman, aged 49, had been drinking in a bar located on New Lodge Road when Coleman offered to take her home. However, after she agreed and left with him, the situation took a disturbing turn.

In an alleyway, Coleman subjected the woman to an indecent assault, leaving her in a state of unconsciousness and partially undressed. The assault was severe enough that she was found in a vulnerable condition, prompting immediate police action. Initially, Coleman was charged with the more serious offense of rape; however, he ultimately pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of indecent assault, which was retained on the court records.

During the proceedings, a prosecutor revealed that Coleman was out of prison on a pre-release scheme at the time of the attack. The lawyer emphasized that Coleman had been drinking in breach of his release conditions and had targeted the woman while exploiting her intoxicated state. The probation officer’s report described Coleman as harboring entrenched and distorted views of women, which significantly contributed to his offending behavior.

As part of his sentencing, Coleman was ordered to sign the police sex offenders register for life, a measure aimed at monitoring his activities and preventing further offenses. The case was described by the presiding judge, Mr. Justice Higgins, as “unique,” given Coleman's criminal history and the circumstances of the recent attack. The judge stated that his role was to determine the appropriate sentence for the indecent assault and to decide whether an extended sentence was warranted.

Judge Higgins expressed concern over the potential risk Coleman poses to the public, noting that this risk “remains an issue for the prison authorities and the Life Review Commissioners.” He also pointed out that these authorities would likely consider the court’s findings and actions when reviewing Coleman's case in the future.

In his remarks, the judge highlighted the premeditated nature of the assault, emphasizing that Coleman took advantage of an intoxicated woman and left her in a humiliating and undignified state. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the justice system in managing individuals with violent and predatory histories, especially those with a history of sexual offenses and violent crimes in Belfast and beyond.