NIGEL WEEKES: ASHFORD PAEDOPHILE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE 38-YEAR-OLD ABUSE REVELATION

In a case that has spanned decades and deeply affected the lives of the victims involved, Nigel Weekes, a man with a long history of criminal sexual misconduct, has once again found himself at the center of a serious legal proceeding. The 75-year-old, who previously served time for abusing young girls, was recently in Maidstone Crown Court where he faced new allegations of sexual abuse that occurred nearly 40 years ago in Northfleet.

Weekes, a resident of Laurel Avenue, St Mary’s Bay, Romney Marsh, appeared before the court after admitting to abusing an eight-year-old girl during his tenure as head of a primary school in Northfleet. The court was told that the abuse took place when the girl was extremely vulnerable, and the incident was part of a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned many years.

During the hearing, Judge Philip Statman addressed the court and the defendant directly, stating, “You seized the opportunity to take her under your wing, and while in a position of considerable trust and responsibility, slowly but surely you groomed her to perform sex acts upon you for your personal gratification.” The judge emphasized that at the time, the young girl had no understanding of what was happening to her or that her experiences were wrong, highlighting the disturbing nature of the abuse.

The court heard that the sexual acts involved disturbing and bizarre elements, including the victim being subjected to acts during game playing, with references to her private parts being “tied in some way to a candle.” The details underscored the severity and depravity of the offenses committed by Weekes.

Jennifer Dempster, representing Weekes, argued that her client had already served a significant sentence and had not offended since. She pointed out that Weekes was suffering from various health issues, including possible Alzheimer’s disease, type one diabetes, complete loss of vision in his left eye, vertigo, and hypertension. Dempster also highlighted that Weekes’s wife was present in the public gallery and described her husband as a “rehabilitated man,” asserting that he should not be sent back to prison.

Despite these pleas, Judge Statman acknowledged the sensitive nature of the case and the profound impact on the victim. He stated, “The events have haunted your victim for over 38 years, causing her great distress. Her childhood was ruined as a result of what you did to her.” The judge also noted that the victim’s trust in relationships had been severely damaged, and she had sought counseling to cope with her trauma.

Weekes, who admitted to two counts of indecency with a child, was sentenced to a two-year supervision period. Additionally, a sexual harm prevention order was imposed for five years, and his name remains on the sex offenders’ register. The court emphasized that the victim’s life had been significantly affected, with her struggles to trust others and her ongoing need for psychological support.

Judge Statman remarked, “Thirty-eight years later, justice has caught up with you. The age of these offenses is irrelevant because she has had to live with the consequences of your actions for all these years.” He explained that sentencing was complicated due to the timing of the offenses and Weekes’s poor health. The maximum sentence for the latest offense at the time would have been two years imprisonment.

He concluded, “It would be wrong now, 10 years after your release and subsequent to the commission of these offenses, to send you, in poor health, back to prison. If circumstances had been different, you would have faced a long prison sentence.”

Looking back at Weekes’s earlier conviction in October 2002, the court heard that he was a retired head teacher from Ashford who had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of indecency with children and indecent assault. The offenses, which took place between 1979 and 1987 at St Mary’s primary school in Ashford and at his home, involved the use of games as a guise for sexual misconduct. The victims, all under the age of 10, were subjected to inappropriate acts, including witnessing Weekes perform sex acts on himself.

Judge Antony Balston sentenced Weekes to three years in prison for the indecent assaults and an additional 18 months for each of the other counts, to run concurrently. The court also ordered that he be registered as a sex offender and barred from working with children again. His defense lawyer, Mark Dacey, expressed remorse on behalf of Weekes, emphasizing that his client had not sought to justify his actions but only offered apologies, citing his previous good character and the shame he felt.

Throughout both proceedings, the case has highlighted the long-lasting effects of abuse and the importance of justice, even after many years have passed. Weekes’s case remains a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and accountability in protecting vulnerable children from those in positions of trust.