Brighton delivery driver jailed for child sexual assault

A Brighton-based delivery driver named Nick Mesquitta, aged 30, was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor under 13 years old and attempting to conceal his crime. The assault took place on the night of September 9, 2022, when Mesquitta managed to lure the young boy away from his father in Lancing and drove him to an address in Brighton. During the incident, Mesquitta threatened the child with violence if he reported the assault and attempted to clean the boy with anti-bacterial wipes to hinder forensic detection. He also tried to buy the child's silence with £30 cash and made threats of violence, claiming he had people who could harm the boy. After returning the child to his father, Mesquitta falsely accused the boy of behaving inappropriately and stealing the money. The child's parents later disclosed the assault to police, leading to Mesquitta's arrest on September 10, 2022, for breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that prohibited him from contact with minors under 16 without permission. He faced charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, assault by touching, and violating the SHPO. Mesquitta was remanded in custody and, on August 22, 2023, was sentenced by Lewes Crown Court to 13 years and six months imprisonment, including seven and a half years in custody and six years on extended licence. Detective Constable Emily Hayler described Mesquitta as a dangerous individual who posed a serious risk to children, and commended the bravery of the victim and his family for their cooperation during the investigation. The sentence ensures Mesquitta remains in prison for a significant period, preventing him from accessing children in the community.