ADAM NICHOLSON FROM DONAGHADEE INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASE AT DOWNPATRICK CROWN COURT

In November 2018, a serious case involving Adam Nicholson, a 22-year-old man from Kinnegar Rocks in Donaghadee, was brought before Downpatrick Crown Court. The proceedings revealed that Nicholson had admitted to engaging in sexual communication with a teenage girl online, specifically a 15-year-old, which constitutes a form of sexual abuse. Despite his admission to these charges, Nicholson maintained his innocence regarding an additional serious allegation involving revenge porn.

During the court session, Nicholson entered guilty pleas to charges of sexually communicating with a minor and inciting the young girl to engage in sexual activity. These charges relate to incidents that are alleged to have taken place between September 2015 and November 2016. The court was informed that Nicholson had used the internet to commit these offences, and notably, he had never met the girl face-to-face, emphasizing that the abuse was carried out entirely through online interactions.

However, Nicholson strongly denied the accusation of revenge porn, which involves the alleged disclosure of a sexual photograph or film of the complainant with the intent to cause her distress. He also denied other related charges, including distributing an indecent image of a child, harassing the victim, and possessing indecent images of a child on two separate counts. These allegations, like the others, are linked to the same time period and are part of the broader investigation into his online activities.

During the hearing, defence counsel Conor Holmes clarified Nicholson’s position, stating, “it will be a plea of guilty to something, it’s just a matter of wording what these charges will be.” Holmes indicated that if there was to be a trial, it would focus on the harassment charge, which remains contested. The lawyer also expressed a desire for the case to be resolved without the victim having to appear in court, stating, “my great aim is that this injured party never sees court.”

Judge Piers Grant, presiding over the case, decided to release Nicholson on bail and scheduled a review hearing for the following week. The case continues to develop as authorities and legal representatives work through the details of the allegations and the appropriate legal proceedings to follow.