NIGEL SMITH FROM HORSHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE OFFENSES AT LEWES CROWN COURT

In a significant case that has drawn considerable attention, Nigel Smith, a 49-year-old resident of Livingstone Road in Horsham, was formally sentenced to four and a half years in prison for his involvement in historic sexual abuse crimes. The proceedings took place at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, February 6, 2015, where Smith faced multiple serious charges related to his alleged misconduct spanning from March 1995 to March 2003.

Initially, Smith was charged with seven counts of indecent assault against a child under the age of 16, two counts of indecency with a minor, and one count of actual bodily harm (ABH). These allegations prompted a lengthy legal process, culminating in a trial that revealed complex details about the case. In July of that year, the jury found Smith guilty of two counts of indecent assault, one count of indecency, and the ABH charge. However, they acquitted him of two other indecency charges, and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the remaining four counts, resulting in a hung jury.

Following the trial, Smith appealed his conviction, but in October, the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, upholding the original verdicts. Subsequently, on December 15, 2015, Smith entered a guilty plea at a retrial concerning one of the indecent assault charges. The other charges against him were left on file, meaning they could potentially be pursued in the future but are not actively prosecuted at this time.

As part of his sentence, Smith has been placed on the Violent and Sexual Offender Register (VISOR) for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case was handled with the seriousness it deserved, reflecting the gravity of the crimes committed.

Detective Constable Simon Goulding commented on the case, stating, “Smith has quite rightly been punished for his crimes and I thank those people who have bravely assisted us and ensured that justice has been done. Any such incidents, no matter how historic, will be taken seriously by Sussex Police. Your call will be treated confidentially and sensitively and we urge anyone who has been a victim, irrespective of when, to call us on 101 or email [email protected].”