Man convicted of 18 sexual offences as part of Abington Street investigation

A 34-year-old man has been convicted of 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 with one of the biggest cases concluding yesterday (October 1) at Northampton Crown Court with Alex Stephen Coleman, previously of Redruth Close, Northampton 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.

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.

He will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on November 29.

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.”

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse, whether recent or non-recent, please come forward by calling 101 or via the online reporting tool at www.northants.police.uk.

We will believe you.

If you have been a victim of a sexual abuse but are not yet ready to speak to the police, please visit www.voicenorthants.org or call Voice on 0300 303 1965.

Voice is a support service for anyone living in Northamptonshire, regardless of when, where or how crime happened to you. Services are free, confidential and you don’t have to have reported anything to the police.

*This press release has been released with the support and agreement of the survivors*