by Keith Hunt

A pervert who sexually abused a girl more than 20 years ago when he was a teenager has been jailed for 12 months.

Married father-of-three Richard Coulson had since led a blameless life and was running a girls’ under 13 football team, a court heard.

But a judge said the 41-year-old former soldier’s offending was so serious that he could not take any other course than an immediate prison sentence.

Coulson, of Violet Close, Chatham, admitted indecent assault and another serious sexual offence.

Judge Jeremy Carey said he had absolutely no doubt that no coercion or force was used when Coulson committed the offences with the girl, but there could be no suggestion she was the instigator.

Carolina Guiloff, defending, submitted the case was exceptional enough for the sentence to be suspended.

“The defendant has lived a fulfilling life as a member of the community,” she told Maidstone Crown Court. “He admitted he had done 'terrible things’.”

Judge Carey told Coulson: “I have reached the conclusion that this offending has had a very significant impact indeed on the victim.”

Coulson had since led an unblemished life, serving his country as a soldier, with two tours in Northern Ireland.

“He has been a responsible and loving father and continues to be so,” said the judge. “It is said he accepts responsibility for what he has done.

“Whatever sentence I impose, there will be a continuing fall-out – loss of employment, loss of house.

"No doubt, the loss of his good name will have severe consequences for him.”

Judge Carey said he did not for one moment suggest deterrence was in any sense relevant.

But it was important the public understood there had to be a significant sentence for such serious offending.

He was keeping the sentence short, he said, because he judged Coulson had already been substantially punished.

Coulson’s name will appear on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.