NICHOLAS FORD CONVICTED OF RAPE IN NORTHAMPTON AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE

A man aged 44 has been formally found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault and rape following a harrowing case that came to light after the victim, a young woman, bravely contacted the police. Nicholas Ford, who was previously residing in Clifton Square, Corby, was accused of abusing a girl starting when she was just 12 years old. The abuse persisted over a period of two years, during which Ford committed three separate acts of rape and engaged in numerous other sexual assaults against her.

The victim, now an adult at 18, confided in her partner about the traumatic experiences she endured. With her partner’s support, she decided to report the abuse to Northamptonshire Police, marking a significant step in her journey toward justice. The police responded swiftly, and Ford was arrested shortly thereafter. Despite his denials during police interviews, where he claimed innocence, the evidence against him was compelling enough to warrant formal charges.

Ford faced a court trial that lasted five days at Northampton Crown Court. The proceedings concluded on March 7, with the jury reaching a verdict after just over three hours of deliberation. The jury found Ford guilty of all nine charges brought against him, which included three counts of rape and six counts of sexual assault. The conviction represents a significant victory for the victim and underscores the importance of speaking out against abuse.

Ford is scheduled to return to Northampton Crown Court on April 30 for sentencing. The case has garnered attention not only for the severity of the crimes but also for the courage demonstrated by the victim in coming forward. Detective Constable Ivan Bentley, who led the investigation, expressed his admiration for the victim’s bravery. He stated, “First of all I want to commend the victim in this case for her bravery. Reporting anything to the police can often feel quite intimidating but to report sexual abuse and then support the subsequent investigation takes an incredible amount of courage. Although nothing can take away what happened to her at Ford’s hands, I hope she feels some sense of justice as a result of his conviction.”