A police officer in Scotland, Martyn Coulter, was accused of sexually assaulted a girl when she was approximately six years old, according to court testimony.
A minor, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, provided prerecorded testimony to the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday, claiming that Martyn Coulter, 36, sexually assaulted her once in late 2014.
Martyn Coulter, currently suspended from Police Scotland, faces allegations of raping a lady and abusing her on three occasions between June 2013 and November 2014 at locations in East Lothian and Edinburgh, as well as making threats against her.
He is additionally charged with the rape, sexual assault, and intimidation of a minor under the age of 13.
The girl said he covered her mouth with his hand before raping her at an address in East Lothian. She said she did not tell anybody at the time because Martyn Coulter threatened her, telling her he would “beat her black and blue” if she told anyone.
“I had no idea what was going on,” her statement said. “I was screaming. I was really scared. I didn’t know what happened. I didn’t want to tell anyone at the time because I didn’t know what it was.”
The girl said Martyn Coulter tried to pull her into a bath with him while he was naked and touched her legs, chest and shoulders.
Martyn Coulter denies all charges against him and has lodged a special defence, saying that between 6 and 21 September 2013 he was in England on a military police training course.
Defending Coulter, Ian Duguid KC asked a police officer who had been involved in the case if the child had been medically examined, but the officer said she did not know.
On Wednesday morning, the court heard from another child who said she hid in a cupboard due to Martyn Coulter’s threatening behaviour.
She also said she had heard him throwing another child against a radiator and hitting a woman’s head on a kitchen cabinet in late 2014.
NOT GUILTY
A Police Scotland officer charged with the rape and assault of a woman and a six-year-old daughter has been acquitted of all allegations.
Martyn Coulter, 36, was acquitted of six charges at the High Court in Edinburgh on Tuesday, with one charge deemed not proven.
Mr. Martyn Coulter rejected all claims purportedly occurring at locations in Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2013 and 2014.
Throughout the seven-day trial, the court examined evidence regarding the purported instances; however, no definitive dates were established for when they allegedly occurred.
Mr. Coulter’s defence counsel, Ian Duguid KC, submitted evidence demonstrating Mr. Martyn Coulter’s location on 23 September 2013, which included Google Maps, timelines, bank records, and social media posts.
The court was presented with Mr. Martyn Coulter’s military training records, indicating his participation in a training course from September 6 to September 21 of that year.
A woman informed the court that she could not remember the precise date, but stated that she visited Mr Martyn Coulter’s flat during lunchtime on or about 23 September 2013 to commemorate the announcement of his deployment to Afghanistan with the Territorial Army.
She informed the court that he desired to engage in sexual relations with her to commemorate the occasion, but she declined, citing a lack of time. She accused him of subsequently raping her.
However, the court was informed that she seemingly went out for the evening with Mr. Martyn Coulter.
She informed the court that she could not recall the events of the night in question, as it occurred a decade ago.
The witness, however, maintained that she could not recall being with him on the specified date.
Mr Duguid put it to the witness that Mr Martyn Coulter had not received a letter that he would be deployed to Afghanistan in September, and had actually been told in November he would be sent for a maximum of 12 weeks due to being in the Territorial Army.
Mr Martyn Coulter was suspended from Police Scotland as a result of the accusations.
Judge Lady Drummond told him: “Mr Martyn Coulter, you have been acquitted of all charges and you are free to go.”
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this website, 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.