STRONG-ARMED STRUDD ENGINEER MICHAEL NASH SENTENCED FOR CHILD GROOMING AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN STRUDD

In March 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Michael Nash, a 53-year-old engineer from Stroud, who was found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old girl through online communications. Nash, a father of two residing on Park View Drive in the Cashes Green area of Stroud, engaged in a series of manipulative and predatory behaviors that have left a lasting impact on his young victim.

Prosecutor Simon Dent detailed how Nash used an internet chatroom to persuade the girl to perform sexual acts online, claiming that these acts would help her prepare for real-life encounters with him. Nash's approach was calculated and persistent, involving numerous messages—over 3,000 texts—where he asked her to perform increasingly perverse sexual acts. The court heard that Nash explicitly invited her to engage in activities that no 14-year-old should be asked to consider, demonstrating a clear pattern of exploitation.

He admitted to seven charges of inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity, which he committed last year. Additionally, Nash pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of children, one charge of possessing an extreme pornographic image, and three counts of distributing indecent images of children during June and July 2015. These offences paint a grim picture of his involvement in child sexual abuse material, which was uncovered during police investigations.

Following the sentencing, Judge Jamie Tabor QC sentenced Nash to a total of six years in prison. The judge also ordered that Nash must sign the sex offender register for life and be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order. These measures are designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release, reflecting the severity of his crimes.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Tabor addressed a group of school pupils visiting the court, issuing a stern warning to young girls about the dangers of online grooming. He emphasized the importance of caution and advised them never to be persuaded by anyone online to remove their clothes or perform sexual acts. The judge underscored that images shared over the internet can have lifelong consequences, urging the girls to only share fully clothed and appropriate photographs.

In his remarks, the judge highlighted the stark contrast between Nash’s outward appearance and his dark secret. Despite being a seemingly ordinary man with a stable job and a family, Nash harbored a disturbing and unhealthy interest in children. The court was told that over approximately a month, Nash continued to contact and manipulate the young girl, asking her to perform acts that would have a profound and lasting impact on her life. The judge described Nash’s actions as vile and a clear violation of the girl’s innocence, stating, “You defiled this girl, that is what you did.”

Mr. Dent confirmed that Nash was aware of the girl’s age and did not pretend to be younger or mislead her about his identity. When Nash was arrested, police found a disturbing collection of 163 child sexual abuse images and extreme pornographic material on his laptop and phones, further evidencing his involvement in the exploitation of children.

Judge Tabor’s verdict and comments serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance, especially among young people. Nash’s case underscores the need for ongoing awareness and protective measures to prevent such heinous crimes from occurring in communities like Stroud.