Former councillor Sean Coughlan has been sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week after being charged with two child sex offences.
Escaping a custodial sentence, the 65-year-old was sentenced to an 18-month community order and 30 days of rehabilitation after pleading guilty to one count of attempting sexual activity and one count of sexual communication with a child under 16.
He is also subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.
Judge Chambers said: “There are mitigating circumstances, you have reached 65 without a criminal record. And letters of support were written for you by your wife and daughter who said they are standing by you. I am also taking into account the psychiatric report, and that you were remanded in custody for your own protection in December and classed as a suicide risk.”
“Significantly, you served your community well. Becoming leader of your political party. You tried to help others. The character references all were supportive. In your own letter you rightly said ‘I helped hundreds of people over the years but this is what I will be remembered for’.”
After being arrested on the 2 December 2021, Walsall Labour Councillor Sean Coughlan, 65, was suspended from the Labour party.
The Willenhall South councillor was placed under citizens arrest as part of a sting by paedophile hunting group Northwest Hebephile Hunter.
Coughlan, who has represented the Labour party in Willenhall South since 1995, was videoed by the group during his arrest where he was questioned on his alleged illegal online activity with a 14-year-old girl.
Coughlan was recently in the running for deputy mayor of Walsall, in a high-profile election that made national news due to claims by his party that he was blocked out of the appointment by the Conservatives due to his mental health issues.
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