NICKY MCCULLOUGH FROM HULL JAILED FOR ONLINE SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online predators targeting vulnerable youths, Nicky John McCullough, a club singer from Orchard Park in north Hull, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in illegal and predatory behavior on the internet. The incident came to light in July 2007 when McCullough unwittingly engaged with an undercover police officer posing as a 12-year-old girl in a chat room.

McCullough, who was 29 years old at the time, had logged onto an internet chat forum that was intended for children. Unaware that he was speaking to an undercover officer from the Metropolitan Police, he proceeded to attempt to lure the fictitious young girl into performing a sexual act on webcam. His actions were part of a police sting operation aimed at catching online predators who target minors.

During the course of the conversation, McCullough made several inappropriate advances, trying to persuade the officer, who was pretending to be a 12-year-old girl, to watch him carry out an indecent act on webcam. He also made two separate attempts to encourage her to perform similar acts. Further, he asked her to send him a photograph, provide her phone number, and even suggested arranging a meeting in person.

It was later revealed that McCullough had been actively targeting young girls in a children's chat room between July and October 2007. His online activities drew the attention of law enforcement officials in East Yorkshire, who were alerted to his behavior and subsequently arrested him. The police investigation uncovered that McCullough had contacted the undercover officer a total of 11 times during the course of the operation.

When police officers searched McCullough’s computer, they discovered numerous images of young girls stored on his device. The evidence presented in court confirmed his involvement in illegal activities, including attempting to incite a child to perform sexual acts and engaging in a sexual act in the presence of a minor.

At Hull Crown Court, Judge John Swanson addressed the seriousness of McCullough’s actions, emphasizing the importance of sending a clear message to the public that such behavior is unacceptable and will be met with strict punishment. The judge stated, “I have to let the public know the courts will not tolerate this activity and abuse of the Internet. The message has to go to the public that young girls of 12, when they do exist, must not be subjected to 29-year-old men committing sex acts.”

In his defense, McCullough’s legal representative, Charlotte Baines, expressed remorse, stating, “He is thoroughly ashamed and disappointed in himself.”

As a result of his guilty plea, McCullough was sentenced to nine months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next seven years and to adhere to a sex offender prevention order for ten years. This order explicitly prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children, aiming to prevent any future harm or exploitation.