NICHOLAS MCGIBBON SENTENCED IN RUNCORN FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ASSAULT OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the community of Runcorn, Nicholas McGibbon, a 29-year-old man residing in The Uplands, Palacefields, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of grooming and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in September of the previous year, involved a disturbing pattern of manipulation and exploitation that culminated in multiple sexual encounters.

McGibbon, who was already registered as a sex offender due to prior convictions involving a different 13-year-old girl, pleaded guilty to charges of grooming and sexual assault during his court appearance at Warrington Crown Court. The court heard that the relationship between McGibbon and the young girl began when they met at the Norton Arms pub, where she was only 12 years old at the time. Following their initial meeting, the pair maintained contact through text messages and social media, specifically Facebook, where McGibbon continued to groom her.

According to the prosecution, the grooming escalated as McGibbon invited the girl to his home on multiple occasions. During these visits, they engaged in sexual activity on three separate occasions. The court was informed that on one such occasion, the girl expressed her fear of being pregnant, as she was unable to obtain the morning-after pill from a chemist. Instead, McGibbon allegedly provided her with an antihistamine, raising further concerns about his intentions and the level of exploitation involved.

The case came to a head in November when police arrested McGibbon after the girl’s father reported her missing. Police subsequently found the girl and McGibbon in bed together. During police interviews, the young girl was reluctant to cooperate, expressing her feelings of love for McGibbon and revealing that she had previously felt hopeless and considered not wanting to be alive before meeting him. The court was also told that McGibbon had bought her presents, including underwear, which added to the evidence of his manipulative behavior.

It was also revealed that McGibbon had a prior conviction from 2005, when he was ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register after having sexual relations with another 13-year-old girl. His defense attorney, David Rose, acknowledged his client’s culpability, stating that McGibbon recognized the need to address his issues. Rose emphasized that McGibbon accepted responsibility immediately when questioned by police, without hesitation or the need for legal counsel.

Judge Roger Dutton sentenced McGibbon to four years of supervised release following his imprisonment. In his remarks, the judge condemned McGibbon’s “devious behavior,” which he said persuaded the young girl into sexual relations despite knowing it was wrong. The judge expressed relief that the girl had not become pregnant, but condemned McGibbon for taking advantage of her vulnerability on multiple occasions. He described McGibbon as a dangerous offender, highlighting the severity of his actions and the need for strict supervision upon his release.