NICHOLAS FINNEY FROM NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME INVOLVED IN CHILD INDECENT IMAGE CASE IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In March 2021, Nicholas Finney, a married man and father of two from Newcastle-under-Lyme, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The case was heard at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where disturbing details about his actions and the extent of his involvement were revealed.

Finney, aged 46, was accused of downloading and viewing highly illegal images depicting the sexual abuse of very young children, some as young as four years old. The court heard that he became bored during a period when he was off work, which led him to access a website where he engaged in conversations of a sexual nature concerning children. These conversations reportedly aroused him, and he admitted to police that he became increasingly interested and addicted to such material and discussions.

According to the court proceedings, Finney was contacted by individuals he met online who sent him indecent images. He would view these images and then delete them, attempting to conceal his activity. However, police investigations uncovered that he had also exchanged messages involving sexual abuse of children, including images of children as young as four. Finney admitted to police that he had become addicted to the images and the conversations about sexual abuse, despite knowing that such material was morally and legally wrong.

Police examined Finney’s mobile phone and discovered that it contained indecent images classified as Category A, which is the most severe classification, showing the rape and torture of young children and toddlers. Additional images classified as Category C were also found. Prosecutor Nick Tatlow explained that Category A images are real photographs depicting serious sexual abuse of very young children, emphasizing the gravity of the material involved.

Finney was arrested at his workplace on July 14, 2020, after police received information suggesting he had uploaded indecent images of children. During police interviews, he confirmed that he had been involved in conversations and exchanges of such images. He handed over his phone voluntarily and later attended Hanley police station as a volunteer, where he was interviewed under caution. During the interview, he explained that he had followed advice to use a chat site and had become involved in sexual discussions about children. He described how his interest and arousal increased over time, and he acknowledged that he had sent images to other users, although he was not charged with distribution.

Finney expressed awareness that his actions were wrong and admitted to becoming addicted to the material. He stated that he had tried to stop but found himself unable to do so. His defense lawyer, Jason Holt, explained that the offenses occurred after Finney underwent surgery and was confined at home for eight weeks. Holt emphasized that Finney had been honest about his actions and was willing to seek help to address his issues. The lawyer also noted that Finney’s wife remained supportive, although he had lost contact with his children.

In court, Judge Paul Glenn acknowledged Finney’s otherwise good character prior to these offenses. He sentenced him to a two-year community order, which includes a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a four-month electronically monitored curfew from 10 pm to 6 am. The judge highlighted that although the number of images was relatively small and they had been deleted shortly after receipt, the seriousness of the images warranted a serious response. He also imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order, ordered the destruction of Finney’s phone, and mandated registration on the sex offenders’ register for the same period. Additionally, Finney was barred from activities involving children and vulnerable adults and ordered to pay £450 in costs.