NICK POOL FROM MIDDLESBROUGH AND PENRITH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND ONLINE PREDATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked communities across Middlesbrough, Penrith, and surrounding areas, Nick Pool, a former police officer, has been convicted of heinous child sexual offences and online predatory behavior. The case first came to light in May 2017, when Pool, then aged 29, was caught engaging in explicit online conversations with an undercover officer posing as a young girl. The police sting took place in the Penrith and Ulverston regions, where Pool was stationed at the time, and revealed his disturbing online activities.

During the investigation, it was uncovered that Pool had been actively participating in sexualized chats, making lewd remarks, and fantasizing about young girls. Prosecutors detailed how Pool responded to the undercover officer, who claimed to be a 12-year-old girl, by admitting he was 28 years old and asking if he was 'too old.' He also made inappropriate comments such as, “Well a lot of pedos in here so be careful,” and “If I dated a 12-year-old I would go to jail.” Additionally, he joked about the consequences of being caught, saying, “if I got caught kissing you I would LOL.”

Further investigation revealed that Pool had been involved in the possession and distribution of indecent images of children, some classified as Category A, the most severe category. These images, along with other evidence of his online activities, led to his arrest and subsequent prosecution. Pool admitted to nine counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, as well as charges related to making and possessing indecent photographs of children and publishing obscene material.

In November 2018, Pool’s criminal conduct culminated in a court appearance at Carlisle Crown Court. During the hearing, he was asked to confirm his identity, to which he responded, “That’s correct,” acknowledging his current name, Stacey Pool, and his residence in Middlesbrough. The court also heard that Pool had been previously known as PC Nick Pool when he was a serving police officer. His actions led to his immediate dismissal from the police force without notice, following a misconduct hearing earlier that year.

As part of his sentencing, Pool was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. This order mandates that he must inform authorities within three days of acquiring any device capable of accessing the internet, a measure designed to prevent further offenses. He is also permanently barred from working with children and vulnerable adults, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

In addition to his online activities, authorities discovered that Pool had been involved in offline misconduct, including attempts to meet the undercover officer in person. His home address was in Penrith, but he was based in Barrow during his time with Cumbria Constabulary. The police investigation also revealed that Pool’s wife had filed for divorce, and he had not seen his child since being remanded in custody. His case drew widespread media attention, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals in positions of authority abusing their trust.

Overall, the case of Nick Pool underscores the ongoing threat of online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement. His actions, both online and offline, have been met with justice, and he now faces a long-term registration requirement and restrictions designed to protect the community from further harm.