WALNEY PAEDOPHILE JOSHUA NICHOLAS ESCAPES JAIL AGAIN IN CREEPY CASE INVOLVING CHILD IMAGES

In a disturbing case originating from Walney, Joshua Nicholas, a 23-year-old man residing on Kennet Road, has once again avoided imprisonment despite a history of possessing and sharing indecent images of children. His latest appearance before Barrow Crown Court took place on March 16, where he pleaded guilty to charges of making and possessing an indecent image of a child, as well as breaching his previously imposed Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Just six months prior, Nicholas had been convicted for similar offenses, after admitting to downloading thousands of sexually explicit images depicting young children. The court was informed that Nicholas’s collection included some of the most obscene categories of child exploitation material, with a particular preference for images of girls approximately eight years old. During his sentencing in July 2016, Judge Beverley Lunt described his case as “very worrying,” but chose to show leniency, emphasizing her belief that Nicholas was “not beyond redemption.”

At that time, Nicholas was handed a three-year community order, a curfew, and a five-year SHPO that restricted his access to computers and other conditions aimed at preventing further offenses. The judge explicitly stated her hope that Nicholas could be rehabilitated, saying, “I like to think that you are not beyond redemption. I will give you a chance.”

However, the pattern of offending persisted. On March 16, 2017, Nicholas appeared before Judge Beverley Lunt once more, this time facing new charges related to the possession of indecent images and breaching the terms of his SHPO. During the hearing, he admitted guilt to making and possessing an indecent image of a child and to violating the restrictions placed upon him. Despite the seriousness of these charges, the court again opted against sending him to prison.

Instead, Nicholas received a conditional discharge and a 90-day custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. His existing SHPO will remain in effect for five years, and he will continue to be registered as a sex offender for a period of seven years. The court’s decision underscores the ongoing concern about his behavior, but also reflects a cautious approach, possibly aimed at encouraging rehabilitation rather than punishment alone.

In the earlier case from July 2016, Nicholas’s collection of illicit images was revealed to be extensive. Prosecutor Tom Hynes detailed that police discovered over 2,500 indecent images on Nicholas’s computer following a report from an external agency outside the UK. The images included 495 in the most obscene Category A, 279 in Category B, and 1,906 in Category C. Additionally, authorities found a short video of a six-year-old girl, which was not sexually explicit but added to the disturbing nature of the case.

During the court proceedings, Nicholas’s defense lawyer, Sharon Watson, acknowledged her client’s awareness of his problematic interests and expressed that he was ashamed. She stated that Nicholas was committed to seeking professional help to address his deviant tendencies. Witnesses observed Nicholas breaking down in tears as he sat in the dock, with his parents present in court.

Judge Beverley Lunt addressed Nicholas directly, emphasizing the gravity of his actions and the harm caused to the victims depicted in the images. She remarked, “You should be crying for these young children being raped and abused in these images. They are real people and real children. Your case is a very, very worrying one.” Despite the severity, she reiterated her belief in the possibility of redemption, opting for a lenient sentence to give him a chance to reform.

As part of his sentence, Nicholas was ordered to complete a 40-day rehabilitation program, attend specialized internet sex offense group therapy, and adhere to a five-year SHPO. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for seven years and subjected to a 28-day curfew, requiring him to remain at his residence between 8 pm and 7 am. The court’s decision highlights the ongoing concern about his behavior but also reflects a cautious hope for his rehabilitation and the protection of the community from future harm.