2016: RAPIST WHO ABUSED CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS SEVEN JAILED FOR 20 YEARS
A man convicted of raping and sexually abusing four children as young as seven has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.Prolific offender Michael Nicholls, residing on Ainsdale Road in Great Lever, targeted the children after their guardians permitted him into their homes.
His abuses occurred when he was homeless and frequently moving around the Fylde Coast, working at Blackpool Pleasure Beach at the time.
Between 2003 and 2010, Nicholls assaulted three girls and one boy, all under the age of ten.
During sentencing at Preston Crown Court, Judge Christopher Cornwall described Nicholls as a dangerous offender, emphasizing the serious danger he poses to the public and stating that he would remain detained unless a parole board determines he no longer presents a threat.
One of the victims delivered an emotional statement in court, revealing her ordeal of being repeatedly raped by Nicholls when she was only seven years old.
She expressed her ongoing struggles as an adult, mentioning her difficulty in trusting men, shame over her body, and the lasting impact of her trauma.
She said, “I lived a normal childhood until Michael Nicholls came into my life.
Now, I still struggle to trust men.
I am ashamed of my body because of his manipulation and abuse.
He robbed me of my innocence and ruined my childhood.” Additional victims shared how their experiences affected their ability to trust and form relationships, leading some to self-harm during their teenage years.
One man, abused from age seven until 18, recounted not understanding that what was happening was wrong at first, but feeling confused and overwhelmed once he realized.
He added, “When I found out it was wrong, I didn’t want to be me with all the memories of what he did to me.
Just when I feel I am moving past this, I get sucked back in.” Another victim recounted spending 45 minutes in the shower, scrubbing herself raw after reliving her abuse while testifying at trial in June.
Throughout the trial, Nicholls insisted on his innocence, accusing his victims of lying.
However, Judge Cornwall made it clear that the children should not feel guilty and condemned Nicholls, who dismissed the allegations as false, stating, “There is only one liar here, and that is you.” The court was informed that Nicholls has health issues, including epilepsy, asthma, depression, and mobility difficulties.
He is currently under suicide watch while incarcerated.
The judge sentenced him to an extended period of 20 years behind bars, with an additional seven years on licence, reflecting the severity of his crimes and dangerousness.
