CRAIG NELSON FROM SOUTH SHIELDS AND WEST CORNFORTH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN COUNTY DURHAM
| Red Rose Database
West Cornforth South Shields Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of South Shields and West Cornforth, Craig Nelson, a 32-year-old former footballer, has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in heinous online grooming activities targeting underage girls. Nelson, who once played for Middlesbrough and has connections to Northern League club Jarrow Roofing, used sophisticated methods to deceive and manipulate young victims into sending explicit images of themselves.
Nelson’s criminal activities came to light after he created a fake online profile under the alias ‘Laura,’ claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. His intent was to lure underage teenagers into sending him indecent photographs. The deception was uncovered when he attempted to groom a 12-year-old girl, asking her to take and send him inappropriate pictures. This act marked a new low in his ongoing pattern of abuse, which had already garnered police attention.
The case was further complicated by Nelson’s previous conviction in 2012, when he was given a suspended sentence for posing as a bisexual 15-year-old named ‘Jessie J,’ a pseudonym inspired by a popular pop star. At that time, Nelson was a trainee teacher, and his actions involved creating fake profiles on social networking sites to contact minors. He would ask underage girls to be his virtual ‘friends’ and persuade them to send explicit images of themselves. In return, Nelson would send them photographs of a teenage girl, claiming to be her. When one girl refused to continue posing, Nelson threatened to post her images online, escalating the severity of his misconduct.
Authorities became aware of Nelson’s activities after a girl confided in her mother, leading to a full investigation. It was revealed that Nelson had used multiple false identities, including ‘Jessie J,’ to manipulate young victims. His online searches, which included 94 deleted queries, were found to be in breach of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) issued in July 2012. Police executed a raid on his home in West Cornforth, County Durham, in January of the previous year, where they discovered that Nelson had logged into his fake Tagged.com profile on a computer at his wife’s residence.
During the court proceedings, Nelson admitted to two breaches of the SOPO. Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to two years in prison, with the judge, Mr. Recorder Camp, emphasizing the importance of discouraging those who flout court orders. Nelson was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. Despite his compliance with a community program following his earlier conviction, his latest actions have irreparably damaged his personal relationships, particularly with his wife.
In court, it was highlighted that Nelson’s use of false identities, including the name ‘Jessie J,’ was part of a broader pattern of online predation that spanned from 2009 to 2011. His tactics involved convincing minors to send nude photographs, often threatening to distribute these images if they refused or attempted to withdraw. The police investigation was triggered after a young girl reported her distress, leading to the exposure of Nelson’s extensive deception and criminal conduct.
His case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians. Nelson’s actions have not only led to his incarceration but have also served as a stark warning about the potential consequences of online grooming and exploitation, especially for vulnerable minors in the South Shields and West Cornforth areas.
Nelson’s criminal activities came to light after he created a fake online profile under the alias ‘Laura,’ claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. His intent was to lure underage teenagers into sending him indecent photographs. The deception was uncovered when he attempted to groom a 12-year-old girl, asking her to take and send him inappropriate pictures. This act marked a new low in his ongoing pattern of abuse, which had already garnered police attention.
The case was further complicated by Nelson’s previous conviction in 2012, when he was given a suspended sentence for posing as a bisexual 15-year-old named ‘Jessie J,’ a pseudonym inspired by a popular pop star. At that time, Nelson was a trainee teacher, and his actions involved creating fake profiles on social networking sites to contact minors. He would ask underage girls to be his virtual ‘friends’ and persuade them to send explicit images of themselves. In return, Nelson would send them photographs of a teenage girl, claiming to be her. When one girl refused to continue posing, Nelson threatened to post her images online, escalating the severity of his misconduct.
Authorities became aware of Nelson’s activities after a girl confided in her mother, leading to a full investigation. It was revealed that Nelson had used multiple false identities, including ‘Jessie J,’ to manipulate young victims. His online searches, which included 94 deleted queries, were found to be in breach of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) issued in July 2012. Police executed a raid on his home in West Cornforth, County Durham, in January of the previous year, where they discovered that Nelson had logged into his fake Tagged.com profile on a computer at his wife’s residence.
During the court proceedings, Nelson admitted to two breaches of the SOPO. Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to two years in prison, with the judge, Mr. Recorder Camp, emphasizing the importance of discouraging those who flout court orders. Nelson was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. Despite his compliance with a community program following his earlier conviction, his latest actions have irreparably damaged his personal relationships, particularly with his wife.
In court, it was highlighted that Nelson’s use of false identities, including the name ‘Jessie J,’ was part of a broader pattern of online predation that spanned from 2009 to 2011. His tactics involved convincing minors to send nude photographs, often threatening to distribute these images if they refused or attempted to withdraw. The police investigation was triggered after a young girl reported her distress, leading to the exposure of Nelson’s extensive deception and criminal conduct.
His case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance among parents and guardians. Nelson’s actions have not only led to his incarceration but have also served as a stark warning about the potential consequences of online grooming and exploitation, especially for vulnerable minors in the South Shields and West Cornforth areas.