SONNING PAEDOPHILE NICHOLAS FAITHFULL JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING TEEN GIRLS IN BERKSHIRE AND WOKINGHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Nicholas Faithfull, a 20-year-old resident of Sonning, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving underage girls. The crimes, which spanned over a year and involved grooming, coercion, and sexual assault, have brought to light a pattern of predatory behavior that targeted vulnerable young females in Berkshire and Wokingham.

Faithfull, who lived in Glebe Gardens, Sonning, was found guilty of eight counts of sexual activity with a child and an additional count of inciting a child into sexual activity. The court heard that he had engaged in a series of manipulative and coercive acts, including forcing one girl to perform a sex act and encouraging others to engage in sexual acts with him. His actions were described by the judge as 'predatory,' highlighting the calculated nature of his misconduct.

Prosecutor Isabel Delamere detailed how Faithfull had persistently contacted his victims through social media and messaging platforms, beginning in the summer of 2013. She explained that his communication often involved pressure and peer influence, with one girl stating that she was considered 'not popular' unless she knew Faithfull. The court was told that Faithfull's tactics included sending a 15th birthday card to one victim, further demonstrating his awareness of their age and his deliberate targeting of minors.

One particularly troubling aspect of the case involved Faithfull sleeping with four underage girls and forcing another to perform a sexual act. The court was informed that despite his arrest in January 2015, Faithfull continued to groom and contact young girls online, showing a blatant disregard for the law and the safety of his victims. His most recent victim, a 14-year-old girl, was described as having 'barely remembered' the sexual encounter because she was 'completely out of it' due to alcohol consumption.

Following his conviction, Faithfull was ordered to move into his grandparents' home in Glebe Gardens, Sonning, as police deemed it inappropriate for him to reside with his parents in Reading, given the proximity to a school. The judge, Angela Morris, sentenced him to three years in prison, with the stipulation that he would serve half of his sentence before being eligible for release on licence. The judge also highlighted the vulnerability of one victim who had been admitted to the Priory between January and April 2015, and who was later contacted by Faithfull after her release.

During the sentencing, Judge Morris condemned Faithfull's actions, noting that he had taken advantage of a girl at a party while she was under the influence of alcohol, recording humiliating footage of her. She emphasized that Faithfull was fully aware of the victims' ages, as evidenced by the birthday card he sent to one girl, and that his continued offending after police intervention demonstrated a clear understanding of his misconduct.

Victims and their families expressed their shock and disappointment at the leniency of the sentence. One victim was seen crying outside the court, while a family member remarked, 'Everyone is shocked at the leniency of the sentence.' A former school friend of Faithfull described him as someone who modeled himself after the 'bad boy' persona of Justin Bieber, noting that Faithfull was known for his interest in young girls and for spreading harmful rumors that affected others' lives during secondary school.

In a related case in March 2016, Faithfull was convicted of nine sexual offences involving five victims in Wokingham, where he had groomed underage girls online and arranged to meet them for sexual encounters. He was found guilty of seven counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a girl over 18 and one count of non-penetrative sexual activity. Faithfull had initially pleaded guilty to inciting sexual activity with a child at the start of his trial. His arrest was made on January 15, 2015, and he was formally charged on June 6 of the same year.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bosley of Berkshire Police Force CID commented on the case, stating, 'Faithfull took advantage of young girls, grooming them through social media before arranging to meet them and commit these crimes. I hope that today’s outcome will help the victims begin to rebuild their lives.' He urged anyone who believed they had been victimized to contact the police, either by calling 101 or through the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111, emphasizing the importance of reporting such offences to ensure justice and support for victims.