Barry Coggin: Convicted child sex offender sexually abused two boys in Gold Coast caravan park

A convicted child sex offender sexually abused two boys while they holidayed at the Gold Coast caravan park where he was living.

A CONVICTED child sex offender sexually abused two boys while they holidayed at the Gold Coast caravan park where he was living.

Barry Coggin, 77, befriended the two boys, aged 8 and 11, when they were staying in a caravan park on Reserve Rd, Upper Coomera while on school holidays from Tasmania between June 30 and August 9 last year.

The former jockey befriended the boys and took them into his caravan.

Crown prosecutor Michael Mitchell told the Southport District Court yesterday that Coggin touched the 11-year-old inappropriately through his pants and offered to perform sex acts on the child.

Two young boys were abused.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 8 WEEKS. (MIN. COST $4)

“The first incident occurred when alone in the caravan with the boy who was in a vulnerable position,” he said.

Coggin also exposed his penis to the boy, his eight-year-old brother and a man with an intellectual impairment.

The serial offender will be back on the streets next week after he pleaded guilty to multiple offences including indecent treatment of a child under 12.

Mr Mitchell said Coggin had a “concerning history of sexual offending against children”.

In 2006, Coggin was sentenced to seven years in prison for multiple sexual offences, including maintaining a sexual relationship with a child.

He twice applied for parole but was denied because the potential addresses he provided were too close to schools.

Between 2013 and 2017 Coggin was convicted four times for failing to comply with his conditions as a registered sexual offender, including telling police when he had contact with a child.

OTHER NEWS

Anger over couple’s ‘disgusting’ act in Gold Coast lift

Shot fired in Gold Coast casino hotel

CEO of Coast company given stunning pay rise

Judge David Kent yesterday sentenced Coggin to three years in prison to be suspended after 12 months.

Coggin has been in custody since October last year and will be released next Thursday.

“You are a mature man who was aware of his obligations and was aware of the serious type of offending you took part in,” he said.

Coggin has now been sentenced to three years.

“Your behaviour was persistent.”

Coggin was also placed on a probation order for three years including conditions he comply with medical and psychiatric treatment and not consume alcohol.

Judge Kent said he imposed the probation order and suspended the sentence to ensure Coggin was supervised when he was released into the community.

Coggin told the court he hoped to live with his sister but was still confirming details.

Barrister James McNab, instructed by Ashkan Tai Lawyers, said Coggin had immigrated from the United Kingdom with his parents in 1947.

He said Coggin worked as a jockey and in the racing industry.

Coggin moved to Queensland with his daughter 20 years ago.