Northampton man sentenced for 18 sexual offences
Alex Coleman has been sentenced
A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 years 6 months for 18 sexual offences as part of Operation Antigua.
Op Antigua was launched at the end of June 2020 and focuses on reported sexual abuse between the years of 2006 and 2016, all originating from the statue in Abington Street, Northampton, where young people would gather.
A number of people have been convicted and sent to prison as part of the operation. One of the biggest cases is that of Alex Stephen Coleman, previously of Redruth Close, Northampton who 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 at Northampton Crown Court on October 1st.
Coleman committed the offences against five girls between April 2008 and March 2011 when they were between the ages of 13 and 17. During this time, he was aged 18-21.
After being arrested as part of Op Antigua in 2020, Coleman was charged with the offences in July 2022 and following a 13-day trial which ended this week, the jury found him guilty of 18 offences after 11 hours of deliberation.
He was found not guilty on one count of rape.
Today he was sentenced at the same court to 14 years 6 months.
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.”
Police say if youu have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via their online reporting tool.