DAVID NOCKOLDS EXETER SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS FOR DECADES-OLD ABUSE

In a significant case that has spanned decades, justice has finally been served for the victims of David Nockolds, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses in Exeter. The 42-year-old, who previously worked as a doorman and has no fixed address, was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison at Exeter Crown Court for a series of heinous crimes committed in the 1980s.

These crimes involved the molestation of a young boy and girl in separate incidents within the city of Exeter. The court heard that the abuse had a profound and lasting impact on the victims, who have since managed to rebuild their lives despite the trauma inflicted upon them. Recorder Sarah Munro QC acknowledged their resilience, praising their strength in overcoming the devastating effects of Nockolds' actions.

During the proceedings, Recorder Munro stated, “Your motivation was as much to demean, humiliate and punish them as it was to sexually assault them,” addressing Nockolds directly. The defendant had denied all 14 charges brought against him, but a majority verdict of 10-2 found him guilty the day before the sentencing.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny detailed that one of the victims was a boy under the age of 14 at the time of the offenses, while the other was a girl who was underage during most of the incidents. The girl, however, saw Nockolds in Exeter when she was approximately 17, which was an exception to her otherwise underage victimization.

In his defense, Nockolds took the stand and claimed that the allegations were “lies,” motivated by grudges against him. Despite his denial, both victims maintained their testimonies, asserting that Nockolds had threatened them into silence during the period of abuse. They recounted how fear and intimidation prevented them from speaking out at the time.

Throughout the trial, Nockolds remained composed, with his hands clasped and his head slightly bowed as the court announced his sentence. The judge highlighted the long-term effects of the abuse, especially on the male victim, who had struggled for many years. She commended the victim for his remarkable transformation and expressed hope that he would now find the closure he sought.

Regarding the female victim, the judge acknowledged her efforts to cope by trying to forget the trauma. She, too, has become a successful member of society, which the court recognized as a testament to her resilience. The judge emphasized the profound suffering endured by both victims, describing their experiences as marked by fear, degradation, and shame.

Defense counsel David Evans chose not to comment on the allegations, reaffirming that Nockolds continued to deny the charges. He did mention, however, that his client had maintained a relatively trouble-free life for many years, aside from a conviction for drink-driving. Evans also noted that Nockolds had been living in a car, a situation he attributed to the attention and scrutiny from neighbors.

As part of the sentence, Recorder Munro ordered Nockolds to be placed on the Sex Offender Register for life, although she chose not to impose a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The court found him guilty of seven charges involving the boy, including attempted sexual offense, four counts of indecency with a child, and two of indecent assault. An eighth charge, also related to a sexual offense, was acquitted on technical grounds, as the victim testified that the incident only occurred once.

In addition, Nockolds was convicted of seven offenses involving the girl, comprising four charges of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault. The court’s verdict reflects the severity and breadth of his criminal behavior, which has now resulted in a substantial prison sentence and lifelong registration as a sex offender.