NATHAN WRIGHT, LONDON SKATER AND OLYMPIC PERFORMER, JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 14-YEAR-OLD FAN IN DERBY
Nathan Wright, a renowned roller-skating star who gained widespread recognition for his performance at the London Olympics opening ceremony, has been sentenced to prison following serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor.The incident unfolded after the teenage girl, who was only 14 years old at the time, initiated contact with Wright through YouTube, having previously seen one of his skating videos and been inspired by his athletic prowess.
According to court proceedings, the young girl and Wright began exchanging messages regularly.
The teenager reportedly felt flattered by the attention from the accomplished athlete, which led to a series of private communications.
Prosecutor Edna Leonard emphasized that from the outset of their interaction, it was evident that the girl was only 14 years old, yet Wright continued to engage with her inappropriately.
The court heard that Wright, who resides in Tooting, London, went further by persuading the girl to perform a sexual act on a webcam.
He then recorded himself engaging in a sexual act and sent the recording to her, an act that constitutes grooming and sexual exploitation of a minor.
The situation escalated when the pair met in person at a skating event, where Wright was approached by numerous fans seeking photographs.
Amidst the crowd, the girl and Wright slipped away to carry out their illicit activities.
The court was informed that their next meeting took place at Rollerworld in Derby on October 21 of the previous year.
Wright had instructed the girl to wear easily removable clothing, and they subsequently met in a car park, where they engaged in sexual activity.
The court described the circumstances as a breach of trust and a serious violation of the young girl’s safety.
Recorder Paul Mann QC, who presided over the case, sentenced Wright to five years in prison.
In his remarks, he highlighted Wright’s status as a role model due to his athletic achievements, including participation in the Paralympic Games opening ceremony.
The judge expressed disappointment that someone with such a profile could commit such offenses, stating, “You are known as an accomplished roller-skater and have your profile on the internet.
You have, through your skating, the opportunity to become a role model for young people.
There must be young people who have followed you who feel let down by the offences you have committed.” Wright was also ordered to refrain from using the internet to contact anyone under 16 and was placed on the sex offenders' register.
The court revealed that Wright had previously served a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for a rape committed when he was 18 years old.
During the hearing, defense lawyer Jonathan Straw argued that the girl was a willing participant in their meetings and had prior sexual experience.
He suggested that there was genuine mutual feeling between the two, despite the inappropriate nature of their relationship, and emphasized that she was not pressured into the encounters.
However, the court found the evidence of grooming and sexual activity with a minor to be serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence, reflecting the gravity of the offenses committed by the London-based athlete.
