ANTHONY NUNN, FORMER YORK CHARITY WORKER, JAILED IN TEESSIDE FOR TEEN SEXUAL ASSAULT

In May 2014, Anthony Nunn, a 70-year-old former charity worker from York, was sentenced to two years in prison for sexual assault of a young girl and associated offences. Nunn had sexually assaulted the girl in the Northallerton area, putting his hands down her trousers and rubbing her bottom, as well as placing her hand near his genitals. He also touched her under her breasts and told her she was “beautiful”.

During the investigation, police found that Nunn’s laptop contained dozens of indecent images of children, including photos of the victim’s friend taken without consent. Furthermore, his internet history revealed visits to websites with titles like ‘little virgin teens’.

The court heard that Nunn, who was employed by a York-based charity at the time, had previously been considered of good character, receiving a character reference from one of his colleagues. His life was described as “completely blameless and positive” prior to these offences.

Prosecutor Tamara Pawson stated that Nunn was arrested on January 12 of the previous year, following the sexual assault. The police discovered explicit images on his phone of the girl’s friend and additional indecent photographs on his laptop.

Nunn claimed he saw the child “once in a blue moon” and denied being a “dirty old man”. He also explained that he initially searched for adult pornography on his computer, asserting that he was unaware of how the explicit photos of the girl’s friend appeared on his device.

He pleaded guilty to sexual assault, two counts of taking indecent images, and four charges of possessing indecent photographs. Nunn, now residing on West Royal Drive in Shipley, West Yorkshire, had admitted to the majority of the charges on the eve of his trial.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, condemned Nunn’s conduct, saying: “You have a very unhealthy interest in young girls and what aggravates the situation is that you remain in complete and utter denial.” The judge highlighted that Nunn appeared to believe he had caused no harm and lacked insight into the effects of his actions.

Addressing the victim, the judge added: “She cannot sleep, she does not feel safe. Everywhere she looks she sees you. You have ruined that young girl’s life, and it is only to be hoped that time is a healer.”

As part of his sentence, Nunn will be required to register as a sex offender with police for the next ten years and was made subject to an indefinite sexual offences prevention order.