Barnstead Man Convicted On 17 Counts Of Aggravated Felonious Sexual Assault

BRENTWOOD, NH — A Barnstead man with a previous history of sexual violence allegations has been convicted in Rockingham County Superior Court, according to a press statement. George Colbath, 64, was found guilty this week of aggravated felonious sexual assault. He is expected to be sentenced in the near future, according to County Attorney Patricia Conway.

During a trial that took about two weeks, prosecutors introduced evidence that Colbath, who knew the victim, began sexually abusing her when she turned 14. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Exeter NH Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The defendant repeatedly assaulted the victim across several years and used threats against her and her animals, in order to keep her silent, Conway alleged. She added that the crimes occurred in several New Hampshire towns.

“The Rockingham County Attorney’s Office became initially involved in investigating crimes that occurred in Nottingham and then tried offenses that happened in Alton and Barnstead in Belknap County,” she said. “Assistant County Attorneys Annaliese Wolf and John Mara prosecuted this case for the State and ultimately brought Colbath to justice.”

The prosecution called more than 15 witnesses including the victim. The jury deliberated less than an hour before convicting Colbath on all counts. Each charge carries a sentence of 10 to 30 years.

“The actions of this defendant are beyond reprehensible,” she noted. “This defendant took advantage of his position as a trusted adult and betrayed that trust in a most repulsive way. I applaud this courageous and heroic victim for her strength in reporting these horrific crimes.”

Colbath was arrested in February 2016, by Nottingham police on a single count of aggravated felonious sexual assault, according to WMUR-TV. He was living in Farmington at the time. In June 2016, while living in Barnstead, he was arrested by Laconia Police on seven counts, according to the Laconia Daily Sun. The assaults on the minor took place between Sept. 2014, and January 2016, according to the report.

According to the New Hampshire Union Leader, due to a technicality, the charges were dismissed. However, in April of this year, 31 counts were issued against Colbath in Belknap County. He was later indicted on those charges. The report noted that Colbath was also facing similar allegations in Epping.