NICHOLAS RILEY ACCRINGTON SEX OFFENDER FOUND WITH LOADED GUN AIMED AT HIS HEART

In a disturbing incident in Accrington, Nicholas Riley, a 53-year-old man with a troubled history, was discovered in a highly volatile state, wielding a loaded firearm aimed directly at his chest. The events unfolded when police officers entered Riley's dimly lit garage, where they encountered a scene that could have turned tragic at any moment.

Riley, who was considered a wanted man at the time, was facing serious allegations related to sexual offenses involving three schoolgirls. Despite the gravity of these accusations, he failed to appear at Preston Crown Court for his scheduled trial, prompting authorities to issue a warrant for his immediate arrest. The police had been actively searching for Riley, who was classified as a high-risk individual due to the nature of his alleged crimes and his mental state.

During the police operation, two officers approached Riley's property on Burnley Road. As they entered the premises, they observed Riley sitting on the garage floor, clutching a dark object across his lap. An officer cautiously asked if he was okay, to which Riley responded, “Don’t come any nearer.” Suddenly, a loud metallic click echoed through the garage, prompting the officers to react swiftly. Hearing the sound, both officers instinctively retreated and took cover behind a nearby wall, fearing an imminent threat.

Subsequently, additional officers arrived at the scene and managed to apprehend Riley. A search of the garage revealed a firearm chambered with a bullet, which was subsequently rendered safe. Riley later admitted to police that he had possessed the gun for approximately 30 years. He explained that he had recently visited his mother’s grave and was experiencing thoughts of self-harm, which contributed to his erratic behavior that day.

In a chilling account, Riley claimed that he had cocked the weapon, aimed it at his own heart, and pulled the trigger twice. He insisted that he had no intention of harming the officers present, despite the dangerous situation he created. The firearm was identified as a prohibited weapon, and Riley was found to be in possession of ammunition without the necessary firearms certificates.

Following his arrest, Riley was taken to Burnley Crown Court, where he was convicted on multiple charges. He received a custodial sentence of five years for three counts of sexual assault and for possessing a prohibited firearm and ammunition. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was subjected to a 15-year sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with females under the age of 18.

Prosecutor Michael Blakey highlighted that Riley had denied the sexual assault allegations during his arrest in August 2011. When he failed to appear at court in October of the previous year, police conducted a search of his property and uncovered a leather bag containing ammunition and air pistols. Due to his high-risk status and the potential danger he posed, authorities considered him a suicide risk as well.

Riley’s defense attorney, Martin Hackett, stated that his client did not accept the sexual offense charges and emphasized that there was no evidence of a sustained campaign of sexual misconduct. The case underscores the complex and dangerous circumstances surrounding Riley, whose actions have left a trail of serious criminal allegations and a community on edge.