JOHN NICHOLSON BRIDLINGTON SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON

In April 2011, a serious incident involving John Nicholson, a known sex offender from Bridlington, resulted in his being sentenced to a three-year term in a Young Offenders’ Institution. Nicholson, aged 18 at the time, had a troubling history of indecent exposure and was considered a significant danger to the public due to his repeated offending behavior.

The latest incident took place on South Back Lane in Bridlington, where Nicholson targeted two young girls aged 15 and 14. The girls were simply out in the area when Nicholson, after a heated argument in which he was told to leave them alone, dropped his trousers in a provocative manner. This act of indecency was preceded by Nicholson making sexual suggestions, which heightened the distress of his victims.

According to court reports, Nicholson pulled down his trousers in the street and held his manhood in front of the two girls, an act that left one of them feeling 'freaked out.' A nearby resident, witnessing the distress, approached Nicholson to confront him, but Nicholson quickly made off from the scene. The incident was reported to the authorities, leading to Nicholson’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

He pleaded guilty to charges of indecent exposure on November 15, 2010, and also admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences’ Prevention Order that had been previously imposed on him. The court heard that Nicholson had a history of similar offenses, having appeared before the youth court in November 2009 for two exposure-related charges, which resulted in a referral order. Additionally, in August 2010, he appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court for one count of exposure and one of battery.

Further details revealed that Nicholson’s offending extended beyond the street. On a bus, he made sexual remarks to a 20-year-old woman, and later followed her off the bus. During this encounter, he pulled down his trousers and, with his hand on his manhood, asked her to perform a sex act on him. Such behavior demonstrated a pattern of predatory conduct that alarmed the authorities.

A Humberside probation officer expressed concerns about Nicholson’s risk to the community, stating that he was not suitable for management in the community without intervention. The court was informed that Nicholson has a low IQ and had recently begun to harm himself, indicating underlying mental health issues. His legal representative, James Keeley, emphasized Nicholson’s remorse and desire for help, noting that prison life was particularly hard for him, especially being separated from his family and his pet dog.

Judge Simon Jack, presiding over the case, sentenced Nicholson to three years in a Young Offenders’ Institution. The judge highlighted the seriousness of Nicholson’s repeated offenses, especially given that he had previously been subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order. Despite this, Nicholson had committed another act of exposure, exposing himself to two young girls just months after the order was issued.

The court also received reports indicating a high risk of serious harm to others, underscoring the need for a substantial custodial sentence. Nicholson was informed that he would likely serve around 12 months before being eligible for early release, considering he had already served 140 days in custody. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the National Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and remain under an indefinite Sexual Offenders’ Prevention Order, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his behavior to protect the community from further harm.