A man will spend nearly two decades in prison after it was found that he sexually assaulted two young girls.
Michael Coburn, 49, was found guilty of a total of 19 sexual offences against the two girls. His victims were both under 13 at the time of the incidents, which occurred over the space of four years.
Coburn, who was living in Billingshurst near Horsham at the time of the offences but has since moved, pleaded not guilty to the offences but was unanimously convicted by a jury at Lewes Crown Court in August 2022.
Jason Berney, detective police constable from the Sussex Police Safeguarding Investigations Unit, praised the two girls for coming forward and sharing their stories with officers.
He said: “I would like to commend the bravery of both victims in coming forward and giving evidence. They have been supported by specially trained officers throughout the investigation.
“This was an extremely emotional case and the courage of the victims in coming forward has allowed us to ensure that a dangerous offender is no longer on the streets.”
Investigations into the assaults were launched after the two girls came forwards to the police with information about the assaults at the beginning of 2022.
Coburn, who now lives in Spitfire Way in Hamble-le-Rice in Hampshire, was then arrested and charged over the allegations. The offences against the two victims are dated between 2018 and 2022.
Following the investigation, Coburn was charged with 11 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, alongside four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in a sexual act, two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by penetration and two counts of attempted rape of a child under 13.
Once again appearing at Lewes Crown Court, Coburn was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Thursday, September 29. He will subsequently serve a further five years of his sentence on licence.
Coburn will also be added to the Sex Offenders Register, which he will remain on for the rest of his life.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel