NICHOLAS FISHER FROM BARTESTREE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PAEDOPHILE MANUALS DISCOVERY

In December 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Nicholas Fisher, a man with a troubling history linked to the town of Bartestree. Fisher, aged 43 and residing on Hollylea Close in Hereford, was convicted of serious sexual offenses and possession of explicit materials related to child abuse. His sentencing marked a grim milestone, as he was sentenced to 30 months in prison after a lengthy two-week trial that examined his actions and the evidence against him.

Fisher was found guilty of sexually assaulting two young girls, a crime that has deeply shocked the local community. Despite these convictions, he was acquitted of charges related to five other girls under the age of 13, for whom the jury did not find sufficient evidence to convict. The court proceedings revealed a complex and disturbing picture of Fisher’s activities, which extended beyond the assaults.

Prior to his arrest, Fisher had been employed as a music teacher for over two decades, working in both primary and secondary educational institutions. He also operated his own music school, where he provided lessons to individuals and groups. His professional background made the allegations even more alarming, given his access to children through his teaching roles.

The investigation intensified on November 25 of the previous year when police officers seized Fisher’s computer. The forensic analysis uncovered a trove of disturbing content, including numerous indecent photographs of children and four separate paedophile manuals. Fisher initially denied any involvement or interest in child exploitation, asserting that no such images or materials would be found on his device. He even provided police with a password to access his computer, perhaps in an attempt to demonstrate innocence.

However, the evidence told a different story. Among the files discovered were images of young girls, which the prosecution identified as former pupils of Fisher. These images were not indecent but raised questions about his interactions with students. John O’Higgins, who opened the trial at Worcester Crown Court, explained that Fisher admitted to hugging pupils at the start and end of lessons, but insisted these gestures were innocent and not sexual in nature.

Further examination revealed that Fisher had created and possessed indecent images classified as Category A, B, and C. He also made moving photographs of children, categorized as A and B. The court learned that Fisher had previously pleaded guilty to creating 29 Category A images, 29 Category B images, and 48 Category C images, all found within a paedophile manual titled ‘Jazz Guides’. This manual contained explicit advice on child abuse, which Fisher claimed he downloaded from the dark web out of curiosity, believing it to be related to music.

Fisher explained that his initial interest in the dark web stemmed from curiosity, and he was influenced by colleagues from other music schools across the country who discussed it. Despite his claims, the evidence indicated a disturbing pattern of behavior. The police also found three additional paedophile manuals on his computer, including one that was seven pages long and described as a “guide to sexual activity with children graded by risk of detection levels one to five.”

This guide detailed activities such as intimate hugging and touching, which were rated as reasonably secure at level two, allowing a paedophile to derive sexual satisfaction from touching a child without exposing himself to significant risk of detection. The court described the manuals as “truly horrifying,” emphasizing the severity of the evidence against Fisher and his apparent sexual interest in children, particularly young girls. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Bartestree and Hereford, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in educational environments.