YATE MAN JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
A man who sexually abused two children over a span of five years has received a 16-year prison sentence.Matthew Nicholas, aged 50, was found to have committed multiple assaults against his victims from 2015 to 2020, as presented to a jury.
Hailing from Yate in Gloucestershire, Nicholas was convicted at Bristol Crown Court last month on 10 charges of sexual assault involving a child under 13.
The court understood that he had deprived his victims of their childhood innocence.
It was also highlighted that his actions had profoundly disrupted the lives of both victims.
One victim was described as once being cheerful and bubbly prior to the abuse but now exhibits low confidence in crowded settings and struggles with quick anger and frustration.
The second victim has experienced severe sleep disturbances and endures ongoing nightmares as a result of the trauma.
Detective Sergeant Anna Toogood of Avon and Somerset Police commended the victims’ bravery, saying, “I want to acknowledge their incredible courage and resilience as they endured these heinous crimes over such an extended period.
Nicholas exploited his position of authority in a deeply repulsive manner by victimizing two young girls.” Following his conviction, Nicholas was told to serve an additional year on license after his release and was placed under an indefinite sexual harm prevention order to reduce future risks to children.
Two restraining orders were also issued to prevent him from contacting the victims.
