In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that 42-year-old Ross Coleman, a former special sergeant with Northamptonshire Police, was handed a suspended prison sentence after being caught with a collection of child abuse videos. Following proceedings at Leicester Crown Court, the defendant—formerly of Bates Close, Higham Ferrers—pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. It was reported that Coleman, who served with the safer roads team, claimed he used the vile material as a form of escapism due to financial difficulties.
The investigation established that Coleman was arrested at his family home in October 2018. Northants Police reported that an inspection of his personal mobile phone and Smart TV uncovered 80 indecent images, including 45 files in the most severe category (Category A). The prosecution reported that the material, which featured the sexual abuse of girls as young as four years old, had been accessed and downloaded over a two-year period while Coleman was still a serving police volunteer.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Coleman’s consumption of such material directly contributed to the market for child exploitation. Leicester Crown Court heard that the defendant had been kicked out by his partner and was unemployed at the time of sentencing, having previously worked as an Asda delivery driver. The investigation established that Coleman gave no comment to police during his initial interviews, only admitting to his crimes shortly before Christmas 2019.
Judge Rhona Campbell presided over the sentencing, telling Coleman that if people like him did not watch this material, there would be no need for children to be taken from their homes and exploited. For his actions in Higham Ferrers and the online space, Coleman was handed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. The judge noted that the only reason the sentence was suspended was because Coleman had taken proactive steps to visit his GP and address his addiction to child abuse images.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Ross Coleman as of March 31, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 12 months suspended for 18 months (Sentenced 2020; completed).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active (Subject to standard statutory periods).
- SHPO Status: Sexual Harm Prevention Order active (Restricting internet use).
- Rehabilitation: 120 hours of unpaid work and 35 days of rehabilitation activities.
- Employment Status: Resigned from Northamptonshire Police; Disgraced former special sergeant.
- Origin: Higham Ferrers and Bates Close; currently of Wharf Road.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Coleman is managed as a registered sex offender within the Northamptonshire area. Due to the nature of his conduct, which involved the systematic viewing of Category A material while holding a position of public trust as a police special, his management is a priority for the Northants Police Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his claim of addiction as a form of escapism requires ongoing psychological assessment and strict digital monitoring to ensure he does not return to consuming prohibited content.
As a registered sex offender, Coleman’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that his SHPO includes specific restrictions on his use of internet-enabled devices and Smart TVs. Any failure to comply with his notification requirements, any unauthorized internet access, or any presence near schools or youth groups in Higham Ferrers or the wider Northamptonshire region will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the community.
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