Febuary 2010

Exeter sex offender jailed for nine years

JUSTICE has caught up with an  Exeter sex offender who has been  jailed for nine-and-a-half years  for crimes from decades ago.

David Nockolds, a 42-year-old  former doorman, of no fixed  abode, was sent to prison, at Exeter Crown Court yesterday, for  molesting a boy and girl, in separate incidents in the city, beginning in the 1980s.

Recorder Sarah Munro QC  praised both his victims for turning their lives around despite the  devastating impact of the abuse.

She told Nockolds: “Your motivation was as much to demean,  humiliate and punish them as it  was to sexually assault them.”

Nockolds had denied all 14   charges, but was convicted by a  majority verdict of 10-2, the day  before.

 Prosecutor Ian Fenny had told  the court that one of the victims  had been a boy who was under  14.

 The other victim was a girl who  was under age during most of the  offences, except for an occasion  when she saw Nockolds in the  city when she was around 17.

Nockolds, giving evidence, had  claimed to the jury that the allegations were “lies” based on  grudges against him.

But both victims had insisted  to the court that they were telling  the truth and each described how  Nockolds had threatened them to  stay silent at the time.

 Nockolds remained calm, with  hands clasped, but slightly bowed  his head as the jail sentence was  announced.

The judge told him that the  male victim had been seriously  affected by the abuse for many  years.

 “To his credit, he has turned  his life around and no one can fail  to be impressed by the man he  has become,” she said. “I hope he  can now have the closure he  seeks.”

She added: “The woman has  dealt with the abuse by trying to  forget about it. She too is now a  very successful member of society, which is to her credit.

“She found it extremely difficult reliving the experience and  it is hoped she can now close the  door.

“Each of these victims has suffered fear, degradation and  shame.”

Defence counsel David Evans  did not comment upon the offences, which his client was still  denying.

But he said Nockolds had  stayed out of trouble for many  years, except for a drink-driving  conviction.

He added: “The defendant has  been living in a car as he has been  forced to be, because of the attention of neighbours.”

Recorder Munro did not impose a Sexual Offences Prevention Order but told Nockolds he  must put his details on the Sex  Offender Register for life.

He had been found guilty of  seven charges involving the boy.   These were an attempted sexual  offence, four charges of indecency with a child and two of indecent assault.

 The judge had ordered a verdict of not guilty for an eighth  charge, which was a second sexual offence. This was for technical reasons as the victim told  the court it only happened once.

Nockolds was also found guilty  of seven allegations involving the  girl, which were four charges of  indecency with a child and three  of indecent assault.