STEVEN TOMS FROM COLERAINE FACES HEAVY SENTENCE OVER SEX OFFENCES
| Red Rose Database
Coleraine Child Sexual Abuser
In December 2017, a serious case involving Steven Toms, a man from Coleraine, unfolded at Antrim Crown Court, drawing significant attention due to the gravity of the charges against him. Toms, aged 25 and employed as a marketing executive for Edwin May car sales, appeared in court dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, and blue tie. He entered guilty pleas to nine counts of engaging in sexual activity involving penetration with a female child under the age of 16. These offences reportedly took place on unspecified dates between March 1 and December 1 of the previous year.
During the proceedings, Toms also pleaded not guilty to three additional charges of sexual activity with the same young girl, which were considered lesser offences. The prosecution, led by QC Neil Connor, indicated that while they would take instructions from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), it was highly unlikely that these lesser charges would proceed to trial, given Toms’ guilty pleas to the more serious counts. Judge Desmond Marrinan, presiding over the case, acknowledged this, stating that the plea to the more serious offences would likely influence sentencing, and that the outcome would not differ significantly.
Following the plea, Toms was remanded into custody, and the case was adjourned to later in the month for sentencing. Judge Marrinan emphasized that Toms would receive considerable credit for his early guilty plea, noting the importance of such cooperation in the judicial process. The judge also reflected on the emotional toll of such cases, remarking that it is particularly distressing to witness young victims give evidence, despite the professionalism of the court proceedings.
Despite the early plea, Judge Marrinan issued a stern warning, highlighting the serious nature of the crimes committed. He made it clear that a significant custodial sentence was very much a likely outcome, underscoring the severity with which the court was treating the offences committed by Steven Toms in Coleraine.
During the proceedings, Toms also pleaded not guilty to three additional charges of sexual activity with the same young girl, which were considered lesser offences. The prosecution, led by QC Neil Connor, indicated that while they would take instructions from the Public Prosecution Service (PPS), it was highly unlikely that these lesser charges would proceed to trial, given Toms’ guilty pleas to the more serious counts. Judge Desmond Marrinan, presiding over the case, acknowledged this, stating that the plea to the more serious offences would likely influence sentencing, and that the outcome would not differ significantly.
Following the plea, Toms was remanded into custody, and the case was adjourned to later in the month for sentencing. Judge Marrinan emphasized that Toms would receive considerable credit for his early guilty plea, noting the importance of such cooperation in the judicial process. The judge also reflected on the emotional toll of such cases, remarking that it is particularly distressing to witness young victims give evidence, despite the professionalism of the court proceedings.
Despite the early plea, Judge Marrinan issued a stern warning, highlighting the serious nature of the crimes committed. He made it clear that a significant custodial sentence was very much a likely outcome, underscoring the severity with which the court was treating the offences committed by Steven Toms in Coleraine.