INVERNESS MAN IAN NICHOLSON JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING UNDERAGE GIRLS IN CULLDON AND EASTGATE CENTRE
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Inverness, police authorities have released a photograph of Ian Nicholson, a man described as 'devious' by law enforcement officials, who has been convicted and sentenced for a series of serious sexual offences involving minors.The case unfolded with Nicholson, aged 52 and a resident of Inverness, admitting to paying a young girl, only 13 years old, a sum of fifty pounds to strip down to her bra and underwear.
This incident took place in Culloden Woods on August 24, 2019, a location known for its quiet, wooded environment on the outskirts of Inverness.
Initially, Nicholson was scheduled to face trial at Inverness Sheriff Court, but he chose to plead guilty before the case went to a jury, thereby avoiding a lengthy trial.
The court proceedings revealed that Nicholson was already serving a 30-month prison sentence for a separate offence and was registered as a sex offender, highlighting a troubling pattern of predatory behavior.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson sentenced Nicholson to a total of 11 months in prison for the offence involving the 13-year-old girl, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
Further details emerged from court hearings in November 2019, when Nicholson, then 50 years old and residing on Castle Heather Road in Inverness, admitted to a range of disturbing activities.
These included paying underage girls to strip, engaging in sexual abuse of young teenagers, and filming individuals using a hidden camera in a shopping centre toilet.
The Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Nicholson would often buy alcohol and cigarettes for minors and would reward girls under 18 with cash if they agreed to disrobe.
The investigation was triggered when police obtained a search warrant in March 2018 to examine Nicholson’s laptop.
During the search, officers discovered 355 images depicting men and women in various stages of undress inside a toilet at the Eastgate Centre, taken over several months in 2011.
Additionally, police recovered numerous indecent photographs of children, which had been downloaded and stored between 2011 and 2017.
The evidence painted a disturbing picture of Nicholson’s illegal activities involving minors.
Prosecutor David Morton detailed Nicholson’s sexual misconduct, including his exploitation of girls under 16.
He explained that some of the young victims had been made aware that removing clothing could result in financial gain, and this exploitation occurred multiple times both at Nicholson’s residence and elsewhere.
One girl even brought friends to Nicholson’s house, where they were supplied with alcohol and cigarettes or given money to purchase these items.
Court testimony revealed that Nicholson engaged in inappropriate physical contact, including kissing a girl on the neck and mouth while she was in his garden hot tub, and recorded images of a girl undressing in his home without her knowledge.
Further disturbing evidence showed Nicholson handling her breasts and performing a sex act on himself.
Ian Nicholson admitted to eight separate sex offences, including voyeurism involving adults, sexual activity with minors, reckless conduct, and possession of indecent images of children.
His lawyer, Pauline Chapman, acknowledged his previous convictions and requested that the court consider an immediate sentence, but also called for a psychological and background report to better understand his mental state.
The court deferred sentencing until January 17 of the following year, and Nicholson was remanded in custody pending further proceedings, underscoring the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing investigation.
