FORMER FOOTBALL COACH JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST A TEENAGE BOY IN THE 1970S

Michael Coleman (10/10/1942), of HMP Forest Bank, was found guilty of rape and four counts of sexual assault after a four-day trial at Bolton Crown Court which concluded last week and was sentenced to eight years in prison yesterday afternoon (15 February 2022).

Coleman is currently in prison after being jailed in 2018 for seven years after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault relating to victims under 18. 

During the trial the court heard how in 1976, the victim, who was 15 at the time, joined a junior football team in Bolton managed by Coleman.

After around three or four months, Coleman started to try and wash the victim's back in the changing room showers before sexually touching and attempting to penetrate him.

Coleman went out drinking at pubs in Bolton on several occasions with the victim and two older males, before Coleman would then drive them home.

On one occasion, after dropping the other two boys off, Coleman took the victim back to his flat claiming that he would buy him some supper.

It was here that Coleman sexually assaulted the victim.

Following another night out, Coleman raped the victim in a bedroom of the flat before taking him home.

After the victim bravely decided to report his former football coach, Coleman was then interviewed in prison.                         

Detective Constable Patel, of Bolton CID, said:

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"This was a harrowing investigation and I would like to very much thank the victim for his bravery in coming forward after all these years.

"I cannot imagine the psychological effect that this abuse has had on him not only as a young man but throughout his life but I hope that the verdict today brings some form of closure and a sense of justice being served after all these years.

"The victim should have been able to trust Coleman as a local football coach but was instead let down by him in the most horrendous way.

"I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to please get in touch with police, no matter how long ago it was, we will listen to you and we can help."