MICHAEL NICHOLSON: NEWQUAY SEX OFFENDER'S SHOCKING CRIMES AND COURT BATTLES IN CORNWALL

In June 2016, a significant legal development unfolded in Cornwall involving Michael Nicholson, a man with a long and troubling history of sexual offences and breaches of court orders. The incident took place at Truro Magistrates' Court, where Nicholson, aged 51 and residing on Henver Road in Newquay, faced charges for violating a court-mandated prevention order that specifically prohibited him from owning or using a smartphone.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution, represented by Anita Kennett, outlined Nicholson's criminal background, which includes a conviction in 2003 for possessing an indecent photograph of a child, followed by similar offences in 2004. These convictions led to the imposition of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), designed to restrict his access to certain technology and prevent further offences. Despite these restrictions, Nicholson was found to have breached the order, prompting the court to seize his mobile device. Interestingly, the court allowed him to retain a camera and an iPad, which he used to take photographs of children in various situations.

Defense counsel Barry Hilliard argued that some of the restrictions in the order were unreasonable, describing them as 'bordering on ludicrous.' He pointed out that Nicholson was permitted to possess a camera and take photographs of children, yet was prohibited from owning a smartphone. The defense highlighted that Nicholson had previously been targeted with threats after police misinformation led him to believe he could not own a camera, which contributed to his violations.

In 2009, Nicholson had already breached the order, and despite his criminal history, he continued to work as a photographer specializing in wedding and portrait photography in Newquay. Notably, in 2013, he was still active in this profession, even photographing teenage girls applying for the Miss Cornwall competition, raising concerns about his ongoing involvement with minors.

Earlier, in April 2009, Nicholson appeared before Liskeard court, pleading not guilty to two breaches of a SOPO. The charges stemmed from incidents in December of the previous year, where he was accused of remaining in the company of a 15-year-old girl in Newquay and traveling with two 15-year-old girls in Bodmin, both in violation of the court order. His criminal record at that time included convictions for handling stolen goods and possession of indecent photographs of children, with sentences including 12 months' imprisonment and supervision orders.

Further back, in December 2005, Nicholson, then 40, was found to have accessed child pornography on his mobile phone while staying at a bail hostel in Plymouth, breaching a court order that banned him from using the internet. The court heard that he had shown indecent images to friends, which led to his arrest. For this offence, he was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order, and the court emphasized the seriousness of his continued violations.

His criminal history also includes a 2004 guilty plea to possessing two indecent photographs of children, including a 'level one' image and a more serious 'level four' image, with additional charges ordered to lie on file. The court noted that Nicholson intended to appeal his previous sentences, indicating ongoing legal battles related to his offences.

Throughout his history, Michael Nicholson's repeated breaches of court orders and continued involvement in activities related to photography and minors have raised significant concerns among law enforcement and the community in Newquay and Cornwall. His case exemplifies the challenges faced in monitoring and managing individuals with a history of sexual offences, especially when they continue to operate in public and professional spheres despite legal restrictions.