The woman who accused the officer of assault and rape was denied seeing her alleged rapist police officer Coulter sentenced because she couldn’t be specific about the date of the offence which happened ten years ago. He was also acquitted of sexually assaulting a child.
Coulter, 36, was charged with raping and assaulting a woman and raping and sexually assaulting a child under 13 between June 2013 and November 2014.
A jury of nine men and six women at the High Court in Edinburgh cleared him of all six charges following a week-long trial, during which the the court heard evidence about the alleged incidents. No definite dates could be established however.
The woman claimed she went to Coulter’s flat one lunchtime around September 23 2013, but admitted she couldn’t be sure the date was correct. Ian Duguid KC, representing Coulter, presented evidence to the trial showing Coulter’s whereabouts on 23 September 2013. The evidence was gleaned from Google maps, timelines, bank statements and social media posts. The court was also shown records of Coulter’s army training records, which revealed he was on a training course between September 6 and 21 the same year.
Coulter was suspended from Police Scotland as a result of the accusations. The trial heard how he was ‘crying in shock’ after being arrested.
Upon hearing today’s verdict, an emotional Coulter put his head in his hands and cried with relief. Cries could also be heard from members of his family and friends who had gathered in the public gallery to support him throughout the trial.
Judge Lady Drummond told him: ‘Mr Coulter, you have been acquitted of all charges and you are free to go.’
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: ‘The officer remains suspended and, given that criminal proceedings have concluded, the matter will now be assessed for misconduct by Police Scotland’s Professional Standards Department.’
Jacqui Deevoy has been a full time freelance journalist for more than three decades. Over the last few years, she’s lost faith in the MSM and now prefers to work for news outlets that deal in truth, not lies.
In 2021, she launched a personal investigation into euthanasia in the NHS and this resulted in her producing the shocking documentary ‘A Good Death?’ She is currently crowdfunding for a second film – ‘Playing God’ – due for release soon.
She produces and presents the UNN Friday night show – a sometimes serious but often irreverent chat-fest with an array of fascinating guests talking on a wide range of subjects. She’s also one of UNN’s lead reporters.
Follow Jacqui on Twitter @JacquiDeevoy1
