BARNOLDSWICK MAN NICHOLAS ALCOCK SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS FOR SEX WITH VULNERABLE SCHOOLGIRL

In March 2012, a Barnoldswick man named Nicholas Alcock, aged 35, was sentenced to two years in prison for engaging in consensual sexual activity with a vulnerable schoolgirl. The court heard that Alcock took advantage of the girl and instructed her not to disclose what had occurred.

During the hearing at Burnley Crown Court, it was reported that the victim believed Alcock knew her true age, although she admitted she might have initially claimed she was older.

Alcock, residing on Gisburn Road in Barnoldswick, admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a child. As part of his sentence, he was prohibited from working with children and ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. He was noted to have no prior convictions.

Prosecutor Kathryn Johnson highlighted the vulnerability of the girl at the time, asserting that Alcock had exploited her. She stated, “The girl was vulnerable at the time, and the Crown would say the defendant had taken advantage of her.”

Alcock was arrested in February of the previous year, initially offering no comment to police. Later, he provided a prepared statement admitting that one incident of sexual activity had occurred some years earlier.

Representing Alcock, lawyer Bob Elias acknowledged the wrongdoing, commenting, “What he did was wrong. The defendant should have known better.”

Judge Jonathan Gibson recognized significant mitigation in Alcock’s case but concluded, “I’m afraid I cannot reduce it to a point where it can be suspended.”