Alex Stephen Coleman, a 34-year-old male, has been found guilty of 18 sexual crimes in connection with Operation Antigua.
Op Antigua commenced in late June 2020 and concentrates on documented instances of sexual assault occurring from 2006 to 2016, all linked to the statue on Abington Street, Northampton, where youth congregated.
A number of individuals have been convicted and incarcerated as part of the operation, with one of the most significant cases concluding yesterday (October 1, 2024) at Northampton Crown Court. Alex Stephen Coleman, formerly of Redruth Close, Northampton, was found guilty of three counts of rape, six counts of sexual activity with a child, six counts of sexual assault, and three counts of assault by penetration.
Alex Stephen Coleman perpetrated offences against five females from April 2008 to March 2011, when the victims were aged between 13 and 17. At that time, he was between the ages of 18 and 21.
Following his arrest during Operation Antigua in 2020, Alex Stephen Coleman was charged with offences in July 2022. After a 13-day trial concluding last week, the jury found him guilty of 18 offences after 11 hours of deliberation.
Alex Stephen Coleman was found not guilty on one count of rape.
Alex Stephen Coleman will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on November 29.
Lead investigator – Detective Sergeant Colin Bowers said: “I am so pleased for the survivors in this case that their abuser has been found guilty and I want to thank them for the support they have given the operation from start to finish.
“Reporting any crime to the police can be daunting so we never underestimate how difficult it is for survivors of sexual abuse to tell us their stories.
“I hope this case demonstrates the seriousness and care with which we always handle reports of this nature, as well as our determination to put the offender behind bars.
“Nothing will ever take away what happened to these women but I hope they can feel proud that by speaking up, they have ensured that Alex Stephen Coleman – a serial rapist and sexual abuser – will be going to prison for a long time.”
Detective Chief Inspector Liz Basham who oversees Op Antigua, said: “I want to thank the investigation team whose hard work has brought about this fantastic result, especially DS Colin Bowers – the officer in charge of the investigation, and DC Hayley Reed who has been supporting the survivors throughout the case.
“Tackling violence against women and girls remains a priority for Northamptonshire Police and we will continue working hard to investigate sexual abuse, bring those responsible to justice, and ensure the voices of the survivors are heard.”
If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk.
We will believe you.
If you have been a victim of a sexual abuse but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.
Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.
UPDATE 24.12.24
A 34-year-old man, Alex Stephen Coleman, has been jailed for sex attacks on five teenage girls, after preying on them at a spot where young people gathered.
Alex Stephen Coleman was a young adult when he raped or assaulted the girls, who were aged 13 to 17.
Police said he was one of multiple “older men” preying on young girls gathering at the statue in Abington Street in Northampton. The men would form relationships with the girls and groom them.
Sentencing Alex Stephen Coleman to 14 years and six months, Judge David Herbert said: “When your victims said no, you just ignored them and pressed on.
“I doubt you fully understand the effect that your sexual offending had on these complainants.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.