A jailed sex crimes investigator has lost an appeal against his convictions for sexually touching a 19-year-old woman who came forward to report a crime.
Misusing public office position
Former NSW police detective Glen Coleman was jailed for at least two years after he was found guilty of twice sexually touching the teenager without her consent in 2022, along with one count of misconduct in public office, a common law offence.
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The 58-year-old met the teenager when she attended a police station to report her cousin had threatened to distribute naked images of her online.
The jury was persuaded the married detective asked to see the woman’s breasts, and touched them in a police station interview room and at a local park.
He also asked for sexual favours in exchange for money, attended a strip club to see her dance, and on one occasion placed $70 on the interview room table before they had sex.
Coleman was convicted, and jailed three years and seven months, with a non-parole period of two years and two months.
The victim had said she went to the police for help and thought she could trust them, but that her trust had been shattered.
His appeal against the convictions was heard in May.
But his bid for freedom was dismissed by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal on Friday in a judgment by Chief Justice Andrew Bell, Justice Anthony Payne and Justice Natalie Adams.
The question of consent
Coleman’s lawyer argued the jury’s findings were inconsistent because it found his client guilty of two sexual touching offences and acquitted him of seven other offences.
But crown prosecutor Carl Young said the jury’s verdicts showed it had confronted difficult issues in assessing the teenager’s ability to consent and Coleman’s knowledge of consent.
The jury did not pick one of the lesser counts from each incident when determining its verdicts and instead based its findings on the supporting evidence for each count.
“The acquittals do not necessarily mean that the jury rejected (the teenager) as a witness or her evidence,” Mr Young said.
His convictions were upheld and he will remain behind bars until at least mid-2026.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.