JACK NADIN, RETIRED BUTCHER AND WWII VETERAN FROM HIGH PEAK, SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEXUAL ABUSE IN DERBYSHIRE
| Red Rose Database
High Peak Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned over five decades, Jack Nadin, a 93-year-old retired butcher and proud veteran of the Second World War, has been formally recognized and registered as one of the oldest convicted sex offenders in the United Kingdom. The charges stem from allegations of sexual misconduct involving a young boy in the 1960s, a revelation that only came to light after the victim, now an adult, discovered that Nadin was still alive and residing in Derbyshire.
According to court proceedings held at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Nadin, who now relies on two walking sticks and is hard of hearing, admitted to eight counts of gross indecency. His admission came after a lengthy investigation into allegations that he had sexually abused a young boy while working at a shop in a Derbyshire village during the 1960s. At that time, Nadin was in his 30s and married, with one child.
The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the profound and lasting impact that the abuse had on his life. In a heartfelt statement read during the sentencing, he described how the traumatic experiences left him feeling confused about his sexuality, withdrawn, and suffering from depression. He explained that the memories of the abuse had never truly faded and that they had significantly affected his self-esteem and confidence.
The victim revealed that he had struggled with suicidal thoughts and that the trauma had caused him to perform poorly in school. He emphasized that his primary desire was not for Nadin to serve a prison sentence but for acknowledgment and remorse. “I just want an acknowledgment from Nadin that he assaulted and hurt me as a child,” he said. “It has never been about him going to prison, but him acknowledging that he did something wrong because what he did has affected me my whole life.”
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Nadin’s sentence was relatively lenient due to his age and health. The court sentenced him to 19 months in prison, suspended for two years, and mandated that he register as a sex offender for ten years. Judge John Potter, presiding over the case, highlighted Nadin’s age, character, and the fact that he had no prior convictions. He acknowledged Nadin’s status as a WWII veteran and a community contributor, noting that Nadin had expressed some remorse.
Judge Potter stated, “You are 93 years of age and you have no previous convictions recorded against you and yet these are offences involving historic sexual abuse. Your actions were selfish and abusive and you used your victim as little more than an object to help you seek sexual gratification.” The judge also emphasized the importance of acknowledgment and remorse, citing the victim’s gracious attitude towards Nadin despite the harm inflicted.
In his remarks, Judge Potter explained that modern sentencing guidelines typically suggest a starting point of five years for such offences. However, due to the circumstances, including Nadin’s age and health, the maximum sentence of two years was deemed appropriate and was suspended. The judge also acknowledged Nadin’s service in the Second World War and his contributions to the community, as well as the fact that he had disclosed his actions to his family, who struggled to come to terms with the revelation.
In a broader context, this case follows other notable instances of historic sexual abuse convictions involving elderly offenders. For example, in September of the previous year, Douglas Hammersley, aged 102, received a suspended sentence after abusing a young girl in the 1970s. Similarly, Ralph Clarke, aged 101, from Birmingham, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in December 2016 for abusing children as young as four years old.
As the case concludes, it serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice, regardless of the passage of time. Nadin remains a resident of Derbyshire, living with his wife, who is 87 years old, and continues to be cared for with assistance due to his frailty and hearing difficulties.
According to court proceedings held at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Nadin, who now relies on two walking sticks and is hard of hearing, admitted to eight counts of gross indecency. His admission came after a lengthy investigation into allegations that he had sexually abused a young boy while working at a shop in a Derbyshire village during the 1960s. At that time, Nadin was in his 30s and married, with one child.
The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, recounted the profound and lasting impact that the abuse had on his life. In a heartfelt statement read during the sentencing, he described how the traumatic experiences left him feeling confused about his sexuality, withdrawn, and suffering from depression. He explained that the memories of the abuse had never truly faded and that they had significantly affected his self-esteem and confidence.
The victim revealed that he had struggled with suicidal thoughts and that the trauma had caused him to perform poorly in school. He emphasized that his primary desire was not for Nadin to serve a prison sentence but for acknowledgment and remorse. “I just want an acknowledgment from Nadin that he assaulted and hurt me as a child,” he said. “It has never been about him going to prison, but him acknowledging that he did something wrong because what he did has affected me my whole life.”
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Nadin’s sentence was relatively lenient due to his age and health. The court sentenced him to 19 months in prison, suspended for two years, and mandated that he register as a sex offender for ten years. Judge John Potter, presiding over the case, highlighted Nadin’s age, character, and the fact that he had no prior convictions. He acknowledged Nadin’s status as a WWII veteran and a community contributor, noting that Nadin had expressed some remorse.
Judge Potter stated, “You are 93 years of age and you have no previous convictions recorded against you and yet these are offences involving historic sexual abuse. Your actions were selfish and abusive and you used your victim as little more than an object to help you seek sexual gratification.” The judge also emphasized the importance of acknowledgment and remorse, citing the victim’s gracious attitude towards Nadin despite the harm inflicted.
In his remarks, Judge Potter explained that modern sentencing guidelines typically suggest a starting point of five years for such offences. However, due to the circumstances, including Nadin’s age and health, the maximum sentence of two years was deemed appropriate and was suspended. The judge also acknowledged Nadin’s service in the Second World War and his contributions to the community, as well as the fact that he had disclosed his actions to his family, who struggled to come to terms with the revelation.
In a broader context, this case follows other notable instances of historic sexual abuse convictions involving elderly offenders. For example, in September of the previous year, Douglas Hammersley, aged 102, received a suspended sentence after abusing a young girl in the 1970s. Similarly, Ralph Clarke, aged 101, from Birmingham, was sentenced to 13 years in prison in December 2016 for abusing children as young as four years old.
As the case concludes, it serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice, regardless of the passage of time. Nadin remains a resident of Derbyshire, living with his wife, who is 87 years old, and continues to be cared for with assistance due to his frailty and hearing difficulties.