Vile Robert Leigh Coulson, 73, used his salon as a base for a string of sexual assaults spanning nearly 40 years.

Today (Thursday), a jury at Hove Crown Court found the leering hairdresser guilty of 14 counts of sexual abuse against four girls between 1968 and 2006.

The girls, all of whom were younger than 14 at the time of the assaults, told how married, balding sicko Coulson:

• Wheedled his way into their confidence with smooth-talking, jokes and horseplay.


• Lured them into his shop where he showed them x-rated magazines


• Beamed porn movies onto the walls using an old-fashioned projector


• Took off their clothes, fondled them and forced them to perform sex acts on him.


• Acted like nothing had happened as he continued to buy their affections with gifts and treats.

Coulson got access to the victims after unsuspecting parents dropped off their kids at his outwardly-respectable Leigh's Barber Shop then went shopping in Crawley, West Sussex.

Dad-of-two Coulson, from Crawley, was arrested after allegations were made by two of the victims in August 2006.

Two further victims came forward after reading about the case in the Observer.

Judge Niblett told him: "For at least 35 years you have lived a lie, but the truth has now been exposed. Your whole life has been a lie. You have been lying to your wife, your two sons and your wider family.

"The truth spoken by your victims has now been accepted by this jury, and you can expect to receive a lengthy prison sentence. These are very serious crimes and the public must be protected from you."

Sentencing was deferred for reports.

Did you know Coulson? Speak in confidence to the newsdesk on (01293) 845055 or click here.