Evidence given by man accused of sexual activity with child

Richard Derek Coulson is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The allegations relate to an incident in the toilets at Pier Approach on Saturday, May 7, last year.

Giving evidence on day four of his trial on Monday, March 13, Coulson, 52, said he did not want full penetrative sex with the boy but admitted to having several liaisons with men in public toilets over the years.

Coulson maintained he asked the boy twice about his age and was “quite reassured of the fact he was over 16” based on the confirmation.

Pier Approach in Bournemouth.

He said: “I could appreciate he was good looking. 

“As far as I’m concerned we were two consenting adults. He put my mind at rest. I wouldn’t expect anyone to lie about something like that.”

Prosecuting barrister Richard Witcombe, however, suggested to Coulson a “reasonable man” would not have taken the boy saying he was 16 at face value.

“You were never going to put the brakes on the encounter, were you Mr Coulson?” he asked.

“You’re having your cake and eating it, aren’t you?”

Coulson replied: “I [was] quite capable of stopping, walking away and going home.

“I asked an honest question and thought I was receiving an honest answer.”

Defence barrister Malcolm Gibney asked Coulson about the boy’s conduct in the toilet which the defendant said was indicative of someone who “knew what he was doing”.

“His actions spoke louder than words,” Coulson said as he recounted actions by the boy apparently initiating sexual acts.

In his closing submissions, Mr Witcombe said: “Mr Coulson is a man used to falling into encounters of great physical intimacy with people who he barely knows or has known for moments. That is risky activity.

Bournemouth Crown Court

“It carries with it the risk of getting caught. Mr Coulson’s mind was a mind that was taking risks and those risks weren’t affecting his judgement.

“Whatever belief Mr Coulson had in that cubicle, it’s not one that a reasonable adult would have held.”

Responding, Mr Gibney said: “Mr Coulson was unbelievably stupid, however he is not here to be judged on issues of morality.

“The prosecution says there’s more he could have done, what more could he have done? The questions were asked and answered.

“[And now] a man’s character and liberty is at stake.”

The jury will retire on Tuesday morning to consider its verdict.