KRIS NILSSON JARROW CHILD SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON

In November 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Kris Nilsson, a tattoo artist from Jarrow, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The court heard that Nilsson had orchestrated a series of planned and predatory attacks on the schoolgirl, actions that left her emotionally and physically scarred.

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that the victim, a young girl, endured a series of sickening assaults carried out by Nilsson. Despite her pleas for him to stop, he continued his assault, employing threats to silence her and prevent her from revealing the abuse. The court was told that the young girl eventually found the courage to report the abuse, a decision that required immense bravery given her age and the trauma she had suffered.

In his judgment, Mr. Recorder Nicholas Lumley QC described Nilsson as a significant risk to children, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the danger he posed. As a result, Nilsson was sentenced to 18 years in prison, with the court also ordering him to sign the sex offenders register for life and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order. The judge highlighted Nilsson’s long-standing sexual interest in young girls, noting that he attempted to normalize his behavior in the eyes of the victim by claiming he had done similar acts to others and showing her child pornography. These manipulative tactics aimed to make her compliant and further entrench her victimization.

The court heard that the young girl has suffered ongoing medical and emotional difficulties following the attacks. The judge remarked that the full extent of the trauma might not be apparent for many years but made it clear that Nilsson had irrevocably taken her innocence and altered her life permanently. The motivation behind his actions was described as purely for his own sexual gratification, a selfish and destructive pursuit.

Prosecutor Gavin Doig presented an impact statement from the victim’s mother, describing the profound and lasting effects of the abuse. She stated, “She is afraid to play out because she fears her abuser will find her and hurt her again. It is clear she had her childhood robbed from her.” The mother expressed hope that, once the legal proceedings conclude, her daughter can begin to rebuild her life and regain her happiness, which has been so severely disrupted.

Defense lawyer Sarah Vine argued that Nilsson’s family had been targeted after his convictions became public, suggesting that they had suffered repercussions as a result of his actions. She also highlighted Nilsson’s poor mental health and the shocking conditions he faced in prison, where it was reported that food on his wing was deliberately contaminated with human excrement as part of a routine targeting of vulnerable inmates. Despite the severity of his punishment, she condemned such actions as indefensible.

Nilsson, who resides in Ashfield, Jarrow, denied all allegations during his trial but was ultimately convicted of 14 separate offenses. These included two counts of rape, six of sexual assault on a child under 13, three of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. During the proceedings, Nilsson attempted to shift blame for the 61 child abuse images found on his computer onto other tattoo artists, denying responsibility for the material.

In September 2018, the case had already garnered attention as Nilsson faced the possibility of lengthy imprisonment. The jury’s verdict confirmed his guilt on multiple charges, and he was remanded into custody pending sentencing. The court emphasized that he would be required to sign the sex offenders register and receive documentation outlining his responsibilities upon release, should that occur. The judge concluded by stating that a sentencing hearing would take place in November, where further details of his punishment would be determined.