RONALD COGGINS FROM WOODINGDEAN SENTENCED TO NEARLY 30 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRLS IN BRIGHTON

In a case that has spanned nearly three decades, Ronald Coggins, a man from Woodingdean, has been sentenced to almost 30 years in prison for his involvement in the sexual exploitation of two teenage girls. The offenses took place in the late 1980s, beginning with acts of grooming that involved allowing the girls to ride his horses at Waterhall and various local stables in Brighton, which served as the initial step in a pattern of manipulation and abuse.

According to court records, Coggins, aged 72 at the time of sentencing, was convicted after a trial that lasted just over two weeks. The jury found him guilty of seven counts of indecent assault committed against the two victims, who were only 14 and 15 years old at the time of the offenses, which occurred between August 1986 and June 1988.

Judge Richard Hayward, presiding over the case, described Coggins's actions as an “appalling breach of trust,” emphasizing the severity of his misconduct. The judge sentenced him to six and a half years in prison, but given the gravity of the crimes, the sentence was complemented by registration on the sex offenders’ register and the imposition of a sexual offences prevention order.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Tracey Dixon expressed her gratitude towards the victims for their courage and cooperation in bringing the case to justice. She stated, “I would like to thank the victims for their help and bravery in bringing these terrible offences to justice, having lived with them for nearly 30 years. After all this time, it is a great weight off their shoulders. They are very pleased with the result and now feel that they can move on with their lives.”

Authorities continue to encourage victims of sexual abuse to come forward. They can contact Sussex Police via email at [email protected] or call the non-emergency number 101 at any time to seek help or report incidents.