❌DALE COULTON – NORTHALLERTON/RICHMOND❌
Dale Coulton, 28, of Coronation Place, Richmond, was found guilty by a jury of committing a sexual offence involving a child under the age of five. The trial took place at Durham Crown Court, where he was convicted following a 4-day hearing.
Despite the severity of the offence and the duration of the investigation—spanning nearly three years—Coulton was handed a 7-month suspended sentence. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Following the public outcry over the lenient sentence, the case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office for review under the “unduly lenient sentence” scheme. However, on 3 September 2025, the AGO confirmed that the sentence would not be reviewed, stating it had been passed “correctly.”
The court heard Coulton has not accepted responsibility for his actions and remains in denial, despite being unanimously found guilty by 12 jurors.
The seriousness of the offence, combined with the lack of custodial time, has shocked many. Community members have expressed concern that the legal outcome fails to reflect the impact on the victim or deter future harm.
Media coverage showed Coulton leaving court while concealing his face, avoiding press attention as he walked free from Durham Crown Court on 25 July 2025.
He is now subject to:
- A lifetime listing on the Sex Offenders Register
- Strict monitoring and safeguarding conditions
There are also questions around why those around him failed to intervene or report concerns sooner, as some individuals reportedly had prior knowledge of the investigation but continued allowing young children near the household.
The case has triggered renewed calls for sentencing reform and more robust use of Clare’s Law and safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable individuals and prevent future harm.