NATHAN COLE AND HIS SHOCKING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN DERBY

A man named Nathan Cole committed a heinous series of sexual offenses in Derby, demonstrating a shocking lack of regard for the well-being and safety of his victims. His actions, which court proceedings described as a 'campaign of sexual violence,' had devastating effects on the lives of the women involved and have brought a harsh sentence upon him.

The disturbing case was detailed at Derby Crown Court, where it was revealed that Cole’s first victim was a woman living in Spondon. Several months prior, she had shown him kindness by inviting him to stay over at her flat on her sofa. However, this act of generosity was tragically exploited. Despite her initial hospitality, Cole entered her bedroom without permission, deteriorating her trust, and ultimately raping her. The brutality of this assault was underscored by her description of her experience: she was so terrified during the attack that she was unable to scream out in pain, fearing her teenage grandson, who was present at the property, might wake up to find her suffering.

The court heard that after the assault, Cole’s own words reflected his shock and guilt, as he was overheard saying, 'what have I done?' and pleading with her not to tell anyone. The woman, already traumatized, later confided in her victim impact statement that she felt haunted by what had happened. She described her struggles with mental health in the aftermath, revealing that she had been driven to thoughts of self-harm and had tried to take her own life. Her emotional testimony emphasized the lasting scars left by Cole’s assault, highlighting her feelings of shame and dirtiness, especially each time she showers.

Two months after this initial attack, while Cole was still out on bail, a second woman, also from Derby, encountered him in the smoking area outside the accident and emergency department at Royal Derby Hospital. She, believing he was homeless and feeling compassion for his situation, invited him to stay overnight at her home, where she lived alone. Unbeknownst to her, her act of kindness would be exploited once again.

Cole, taking advantage of her vulnerability, raped her that night in her bed. Over the subsequent two days, he continued his assault, raping her on three separate occasions. She explained that she repeatedly said 'no' during these assaults but refrained from shouting or crying out to avoid waking her grandson and revealing what was happening. The brutality extended to her being bitten on her breasts and neck, adding a physical trauma to her emotional suffering. She shared in her victim impact statement that her ordeal has left her feeling like she is living in a 'black hole,' resorting to increased alcohol consumption to numb her pain, and feeling overwhelmed by her inability to cope.

Nathan Cole, 32, of Stenson Road, Derby, denied all allegations of sexual assault, choosing to contest the charges in court, which meant his victims had to relive their experiences during the trial. Ultimately, the jury found him guilty of multiple counts of rape, acknowledging his culpability.

The prosecution, led by Stephen Kemp, provided harrowing details of both attacks, and emphasized the betrayal of trust by Cole. His defense, represented by Roger Wilson, noted that Cole had no prior record of sexual offences and that he had spent part of his childhood in care, potentially contributing to his circumstances.

The judge, Recorder Simon King, sentenced Cole to a substantial 20-year prison term in his absence. This sentence was composed of 15 years in custody, supplemented by a five-year extended sentence for dangerousness. Importantly, this means Cole will not be eligible to apply for parole until two-thirds of his custodial period, 10 years, have been served.

In addition to incarceration, the court imposed further restrictions on Cole’s conduct. He was issued a restraining order preventing him from contacting his first victim until further notice. Moreover, he was registered on the sex offender register for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to prevent future harm.

This case highlights the devastating impact of sexual violence and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims who courageously recount their traumatic experiences in the face of adversity.