TONY COYLE FROM CHALK FARM LONDON FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND STALKING NEAR GOSPEL OAK

In January 2014, a disturbing case unfolded involving Tony Coyle, a 51-year-old man residing on Ferdinand Street in Chalk Farm, London. Coyle was accused of engaging in a series of troubling behaviors directed towards a 14-year-old schoolgirl from Gospel Oak, which culminated in a court trial at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court.

According to court records and victim testimony, Coyle had been stalking the young girl over a period of several days in September. The girl, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, recounted that Coyle had deliberately approached her outside her school on multiple occasions. On one particular incident, he brushed past her in a manner that made physical contact, touching her breast with his arm and shoulder. This act of inappropriate contact was part of a pattern of behavior that caused significant distress to the victim.

Over the course of eight consecutive weekday mornings in September, Coyle was observed watching and following the girl as she made her way to school or waited for a bus in the Gospel Oak area. Witnesses, including the girl herself and two of her friends, identified Coyle as “the weird guy” who loitered outside their school premises on three separate occasions. The girl described feeling increasingly paranoid and frightened, stating that she now avoids walking alone even to the nearest corner shop, fearing that someone else might repeat Coyle’s actions.

The girl’s account detailed that her first encounter with Coyle’s suspicious behavior occurred on September 16 at around 8:20 am, when she saw him staring at her while she waited for her bus in Gospel Oak. She observed him watching her again on the following two mornings. On September 19, she arrived at her school to find Coyle standing opposite the gates, watching her. The following day, he was seen walking behind her briefly along Gordon House Road. On September 24, Coyle was spotted waiting outside her house before following her all the way to school, having followed her the previous day as well.

The situation escalated on September 25, when Coyle made physical contact with the girl. He crossed a busy road to approach her, stared at her intently, and then touched her breast as he passed by. The girl was overwhelmed with emotion and immediately reported the incident to her school authorities and the police. The following day, Coyle was apprehended after the girl’s sister recognized a man walking near the school who matched the description provided by her sibling. The police were called, and Coyle was detained.

During the trial, Coyle’s appearance was noted as distinctive. He was often seen with a plaster on his face, had very pale skin, and was wearing a black hooded jumper bearing the logo of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Despite his claims of innocence, Coyle insisted that he had no interest in schoolgirls and that his presence in the area was purely coincidental. He stated that he enjoyed taking regular walks throughout Camden and denied any intent to stalk or harm anyone.

However, the court found sufficient evidence to convict Coyle of sexual assault on a female and stalking that caused serious alarm and distress. The verdict marked a significant moment in the case, highlighting the dangers of such predatory behaviors and the importance of vigilance in protecting young individuals from harm in their communities.