Another Eastbourne paedophile priest. Surely he must be dead by now? Where is Eastbourne Paedophile Robert Coles?
Former priest Robert Coles has received a sixteen-month prison sentence after confessing to sexual offences against a minor.
Robert Coles, hailing from Eastbourne, is currently serving an eight-year term for comparable acts against three other young boys in West Sussex, committed between 31 and 38 years ago.
The 16-month term will be served consecutively to the eight-year sentence.
Robert Coles, 74, of Upperton Road, Eastbourne, a retired Church of England priest, pleaded guilty today at Hove Crown Court to eight counts of indecent assault against a boy aged between 11 and 15 from 1974 to 1977, all occurring at a vicarage where Coles previously resided and served in Foredown Drive, Portslade.
Robert Coles is currently incarcerated, receiving an eight-year term handed down by Brighton Crown Court on February 14, 2013, after pleading guilty to 11 offences.
One count of buggery
Four indecent assaults on a child aged 15 to 16 at a site in Chichester between 1982 and 1984
Two instances of indecent assault on the same youngster occurred between 1982 and 1983.
Three indecent assaults committed against two boys, both aged 10 at the time of the alleged acts, in West Sussex and other locations, between 1978 and 1979.
The recently alleged incidents occurred when the youngster, who resided outside Sussex, visited Robert Coles’ vicarage with family members and remained overnight.
Detective Inspector Jez Prior stated, “Robert Coles’ initial conviction and sentencing two years prior resulted from an extensive and intricate investigation, prompted by information received from the Diocese of Chichester, which has provided complete cooperation throughout both that case and the current one.” We were pleased to secure justice for the three victims.
“However, in light of the media attention surrounding that case, the most recent victim, now in his early fifties, felt compelled to come forward and reveal his experience.” The CPS determined that it was in the public interest to prosecute these charges, and the evidence was so compelling that Robert Coles had no option but to acknowledge his culpability.
We commend the bravery of victims who muster the determination, regardless of the time elapsed since the incidents, to provide evidence and, if required, to endure cross-examination in court.
“We will consistently treat such reports with gravity and will conduct investigations, recommending prosecution when warranted by the circumstances.”
February 2013
Ex-priest convicted for child sexual offences
A retired priest was sentenced to eight years in jail today, February 14, for 11 charges related to child sexual abuse.
Robert Coles, 71, of Upperton Road, Eastbourne, was jailed at Brighton Crown Court for sexual offences against minors.
During a hearing on December 14 at Chichester Crown Court, Coles admitted guilt to 11 offences committed against a youngster in Chichester between 1982 and 1984, as well as offences against two other boys, who were ten years old at the time.
The charges included one count of buggery and four counts of indecent assault against the first victim, as well as three counts of indecent assault against each of the other two victims, occurring between 1978 and 1979.
Seven further charges for which Robert Coles was scheduled to stand trial on June 10 were ordered to remain on file.
The incidents occurred in Devon, Cornwall, West Sussex, and the Isle of Wight between the late 1970s and early 1980s, involving boys aged ten to sixteen at the time.
The allegations included three counts of buggery involving a boy aged 15 to 16 in Chichester from 1982 to 1984, two counts of indecent assault against the same boy from 1982 to 1983, and one count each of indecent assault against two other boys, both aged 10 at the time of the alleged offences. Coles pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During today’s hearing, prosecutor Ryan Richter informed the court that, following deliberation and consultation with Sussex Police and the three victims, the Crown Prosecution Service had opted not to pursue the seven remaining counts.
The trial scheduled for June 10 will not occur, and Judge Anthony has ordered that the seven charges be recorded in the court file.
Robert Coles received a total sentence of eight years: five years for buggery and two and a half years for each of the four indecent assaults against the same victim, all to be served concurrently.
He received an 18-month sentence for each of the three indecent assaults against the second victim and an additional 18 months for the three indecent assaults against the third victim, to be served concurrently with the terms for the charges against the first victim.
Robert Coles was issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that forbids him from contacting the three victims, having unsupervised interactions with boys under 16, and pursuing any employment or volunteer opportunities that may grant him unsupervised access to children under 16.
Upon his release from prison, he was mandated to register as a lifelong sex offender.
Robert Coles was apprehended on March 6 of the previous year after a six-month investigation conducted by Sussex Police detectives.
In August, he was indicted by the South East Complex Case Unit of the Crown Prosecution Service.
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