Boy gives evidence in trial of man accused of child sex offences

Richard Derek Coulson, 52, is on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child relating to an incident in the toilets at Pier Approach, Bournemouth.

The allegations are said to have taken place on the morning of Saturday, May 7, last year.

The complainant, a boy who was 14 at the time, was cross examined by defence barrister Malcolm Gibney on day two of the trial on Thursday, March 9.

Mr Gibney ran the boy through CCTV footage and his recollection of the day in question.

Jurors heard how the complainant had been at a house party the night before where he engaged in drinking with his friends and becoming, in his words, “a bit tipsy”. Following the end of the party, he had arguments and became separated from his friends, eventually ending up at Bournemouth Pier.

In a police interview, the complainant said when he was walking to the toilet block he went past Coulson and smiled after the man looked at him.

CCTV played to the court suggested, Mr Gibney said, that there was “some sort of interaction” more than just a smile between the two, culminating in Coulson following the boy into the toilets. The boy told the court he could not remember.

As reported, Coulson says the sexual activity was consensual and when he asked the boy how old he was the complainant replied he was 16.

When asked about if he said he was 16, the boy repeatedly said he did not know if he had said this, telling the court: “I can’t really remember, it’s a blur, I’ve just blocked it all out.”

While maintaining he did not want sexual contact with the man, the boy admitted he did not ask the defendant to leave the cubicle.

Following the encounter, the boy was said to have called his friend over the phone – telling her “I think I might have been raped”.

Coulson, of Merlewood Close, Bournemouth, denies three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The trial continues.