NICHOLAS THORNTON SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN SALISBURY
| Red Rose Database
Salisbury Child Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the Salisbury community, Nicholas Thornton, aged 22, of Netherhampton Road, was convicted of heinous crimes involving an eight-year-old girl and subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. The incident took place in Salisbury, where Thornton was found guilty of multiple serious charges at Salisbury Crown Court, including the sexual assault of a child under 13, sexual assault, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
The court proceedings revealed that Thornton also admitted to downloading and possessing images related to child abuse, further compounding the severity of his offenses. As part of the court's ruling, all of Thornton’s electronic devices, including his computers and iPhone, were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed to prevent further misuse. Additionally, the court imposed a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict Thornton’s activities for the next ten years.
Judge Richard Parkes, presiding over the case, described the situation as deeply troubling, stating, “This is a deeply sad case, you don’t really need me to tell you that.” He emphasized that the sentence served as a warning to others who might be tempted to view or possess similar material, underscoring the importance of safeguarding children from such exploitation.
Judge Parkes also advised Thornton to take advantage of available help and rehabilitation programs to prevent any recurrence of such behavior. It was made clear that Thornton will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and will be permanently barred from working with children. The court also ordered him to pay court costs amounting to £120.
The conviction follows a disturbing series of events where Thornton was found guilty of sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl while she was playing computer games in his bedroom. The girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had visited Thornton’s residence on approximately eight occasions, often accompanied by her mother. During these visits, Thornton exploited the opportunity to commit the abuse, which was described by prosecutors as opportunistic and calculated.
Prosecutor Nicolas Gerasimidis detailed that the abuse occurred when the girl was between seven and eight years old. He explained that the girl confided in her father in April last year, revealing that Thornton had told her it was okay to touch younger girls and that he had touched her. The girl also expressed her discomfort, stating that she told Thornton to stop, but he continued to encourage her to play on the computer games in his room, despite her protests.
While Thornton has been convicted, he has not yet been sentenced. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of children in Salisbury and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.
The court proceedings revealed that Thornton also admitted to downloading and possessing images related to child abuse, further compounding the severity of his offenses. As part of the court's ruling, all of Thornton’s electronic devices, including his computers and iPhone, were ordered to be forfeited and destroyed to prevent further misuse. Additionally, the court imposed a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict Thornton’s activities for the next ten years.
Judge Richard Parkes, presiding over the case, described the situation as deeply troubling, stating, “This is a deeply sad case, you don’t really need me to tell you that.” He emphasized that the sentence served as a warning to others who might be tempted to view or possess similar material, underscoring the importance of safeguarding children from such exploitation.
Judge Parkes also advised Thornton to take advantage of available help and rehabilitation programs to prevent any recurrence of such behavior. It was made clear that Thornton will be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and will be permanently barred from working with children. The court also ordered him to pay court costs amounting to £120.
The conviction follows a disturbing series of events where Thornton was found guilty of sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl while she was playing computer games in his bedroom. The girl, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, had visited Thornton’s residence on approximately eight occasions, often accompanied by her mother. During these visits, Thornton exploited the opportunity to commit the abuse, which was described by prosecutors as opportunistic and calculated.
Prosecutor Nicolas Gerasimidis detailed that the abuse occurred when the girl was between seven and eight years old. He explained that the girl confided in her father in April last year, revealing that Thornton had told her it was okay to touch younger girls and that he had touched her. The girl also expressed her discomfort, stating that she told Thornton to stop, but he continued to encourage her to play on the computer games in his room, despite her protests.
While Thornton has been convicted, he has not yet been sentenced. The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of children in Salisbury and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from exploitation and abuse.