May 2010 Herefordshire man confessed to sex offences A man who confessed to a probation officer that he had carried out a string of sex offences against young girls has been jailed for 12 years. Nicholas Hiles liked showing off his body to victims and even exercised in front of two girls on a rowing machine while naked, Worcester Crown Court heard. And he tried to have intercourse with one schoolgirl after getting her to perform a sex act on him, said prosecutor Gareth Walters. But in December 2008, while under a court order for harassing a partner, he admitted the crimes to his supervising probation officer Hiles, aged 45, of Castle Park, Kilpeck, pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecency with a child and one of attempted rape. Judge Alistair McCreath said he had “an unhealthy interest in young girls” and his behaviour had been “deeply corrupting”. The judge added that despite a police investigation in 1999, he had continued to offend until 2004. Mr Walters said Hiles married in 1988 but the relationship was volatile, with allegations of violence made against him. Mr Walters detailed incidents during which Hiles indulged in sexual misconduct while his wife was at work in a nursing home. But in 1999, a teenage girl made complaints to police about past abuse. No further action was taken, but Hiles’ wife then left him – and he continued offending. After being arrested, Hiles told police he thought one young girl was “showing an interest in him”, said Mr Walters. But victim impact statements by the five complainants detailed the “pain and disgust” they felt. If it had not been for Hiles’ admissions to a probation officer, he would not be in the dock, said Bruce Gray, defending. He had decided to be candid. The judge passed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order prohibiting Hiles from making contact with any child under 18.