NIGEL KNIGHTON SHOCKS DROITWICH AND STOURPORT WITH CHILD SEX OFFENSES AND UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO NEW HOMES

In a disturbing revelation that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Droitwich and Stourport, Nigel Knighton, a 43-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, was found to have been granted unrestricted access to numerous newly constructed family homes in Droitwich. This access was facilitated by his employment as a handyman on the William Davis Homes (WDH) estate, where he was entrusted with a master key that opened the doors to dozens of residences.

Knighton’s employment was supposed to involve routine checks and repairs on properties valued at up to £400,000 each. However, it has now come to light that he was given a master key to multiple homes, allowing him to enter at will. The fact that he was employed without a proper Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background check has raised serious concerns among residents and local authorities alike.

Adding to the community’s alarm is Knighton’s criminal past. Records show that he was convicted in 2007 for two separate sexual assaults, including one involving a child. Despite this, he was employed on the estate, which has led to widespread outrage and fear among residents, especially parents.

A mother living on the estate expressed her horror at the situation, stating, “It’s horrific that he had access to our homes and that we have been alone with him and our children. He had unlimited access to our homes – it’s completely sickening.” She recounted how Knighton would arrive at all hours of the day to carry out work, often early in the morning, and was the person who initially showed residents how to use their locks when they moved in. Her words reflected a deep sense of betrayal and concern, as she admitted she has been unable to sleep, haunted by the possibility of what could have happened.

She further explained her fears about her young daughter, saying, “We are now wondering whether we need to have a talk with our little girl, about anything that may have happened. As a mother, I felt guilty about it all – you just assume William Davis would have checked him out. He wasn’t just a labourer on site; he was carrying out work inside our homes.”

The mother emphasized the importance of strict DBS checks for all staff involved in construction and maintenance of homes, warning that neglecting such procedures could lead to tragic consequences. She revealed that about two weeks prior, another worker on the site recognized Knighton from their time in prison together. The builder, who was reportedly having sleepless nights over the situation, confided in her, pleading, “please don’t let him in, please don’t let him into your home.”

Following this revelation, residents discovered a newspaper article referencing Knighton’s criminal background. This prompted a collective demand for their locks to be changed by WDH. In response, a WDH spokesperson acknowledged the oversight, stating, “Whilst there is no industry requirement to carry out background checks on workers, this incident has clearly highlighted the need to review recruitment practices and is an area WDH is in the process of addressing.”

The company further explained that Knighton no longer works for them and that, although no offense was necessarily committed during his employment, they are taking the concerns seriously. They have been liaising with the Droitwich Safer Neighbourhood Team and have issued notices to residents who may have come into contact with him.

Local MP Nigel Huddleston, representing Mid Worcestershire, voiced his concern, stating, “It should be an industry standard for such checks to be made on anyone with access to private homes that may contain children. I have contacted the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government regarding the issue. I am deeply concerned and shocked to hear about this incident of a convicted child sex offender being able to freely enter homes in my constituency.”

Adding to the community’s distress, Knighton’s criminal record includes a conviction from June 2007 for a sexual assault on a girl aged 12. His past crimes also include a rape of an eight-year-old girl at the Chain Wire club in Stourport in 1990, for which he received a five-year prison sentence. Prosecutor Ian Speed detailed that Knighton, then 35 and residing in Stourport, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection, with a minimum of two years to serve before parole consideration.

Further incidents include an assault on a woman on Hartlebury Common after offering her a lift from a bingo hall, and an inappropriate act at a house party in Bromsgrove, where he was observed going upstairs multiple times. Knighton’s history of offending underscores the danger he poses, as described by Judge Richard Rundell, who labeled him “a dangerous person” with a serious risk to children.

His recent actions include an incident on September 26 of the previous year, where he was seen going upstairs at a house party, leading to a complaint from a girl who later reported the incident. The following day, Knighton falsely claimed he had mistaken her bedroom for the bathroom. On December 4, he was involved in an assault on a pregnant woman, grabbing her after she rejected his advances, further illustrating his pattern of predatory behavior.

Knighton’s defense attorney, Nigel Hall, acknowledged that his client’s offending had cost him his relationships and employment, and that his family had disowned him. Knighton himself attributed his behavior to childhood issues and expressed a recognition of the need for therapy. He also admitted to misreading social cues, which contributed to his guilty pleas, including the decision to avoid testifying in court from the young girl involved.

As the community grapples with the unsettling truth about Knighton’s past and present, questions remain about the adequacy of background checks and the safety protocols in place for workers granted access to private homes, especially those with children. The incident has sparked a debate about industry standards and the responsibilities of developers and contractors to ensure the safety of residents, particularly vulnerable children, from individuals with known criminal histories.