Child Sex Offender Jailed After Breaching Sexual Harm Prevention Order
Max Coughlin, 29, is back behind bars after Surrey Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) cracked down on his latest offences. The Redhill man was handed a six-year prison sentence at Guildford Crown Court on October 28, with an extra year on extended licence.
Repeat Offender Caught Red-Handed
Coughlin was previously convicted in 2014 for making and distributing indecent images of children. After serving time, he was placed on the Sexual Offences register for ten years and slapped with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), barring him from any contact with children.
But in October 2021, police swooped on his Redhill address after intelligence revealed he was breaching his SHPO by using Snapchat and other apps — then deleting them to cover his tracks.
Officers seized 15 devices, including phones and laptops, uncovering digital evidence that Coughlin was planning to meet a child for sexual abuse. He was arrested for breaching his SHPO and facilitating a child sex offence.
Guilty Verdict After Trial
Though Coughlin pleaded guilty to making indecent images, he denied facilitating the sexual offence. The case went to trial in February 2024, where he was found guilty. He had been remanded in custody and sentenced this week to seven years behind bars.
The judge ordered indefinite lifetime registration on the Sexual Offences register and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Police Praise Team Effort to Protect Children
“Once we received intelligence about Coughlin’s online activity, we took swift action to arrest him and seize his devices. The intended victim was never subjected to any physical sexual offence,” said Detective Sergeant Ben Green of Surrey Police’s POLIT team.
“Coughlin used various tactics to erase his digital trail and lied despite overwhelming evidence. His predatory behaviour made this conviction vital. Thanks to the efforts of POLIT, digital forensics, and offender management teams, we delivered justice. This highlights our commitment to tackling online threats to children.”
