NICHOLAS GEDDES JAILED FOR 15 YEARS IN ELLESMERE PORT CASE INVOLVING ONLINE GROOMING AND ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Ellesmere Port community, Nicholas Geddes, aged 24, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and sexual abuse of six teenage boys. The case, which unfolded over the course of 2013 and early 2014, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated through social media platforms, targeting vulnerable youths both locally and from other parts of the UK.

It all began on June 10 of the previous year when the parents of a 13-year-old boy from Long Eaton contacted police after discovering that their son had been groomed online by Geddes. According to reports, Geddes had lured the boy into a meeting at a hotel in the East Midlands, where he subjected him to sexual abuse. Authorities traced Geddes through his vehicle registration details, which led to his arrest the following day. The investigation uncovered that Geddes had been in contact with the boy via social media, engaging in explicit conversations that crossed legal boundaries.

Further examination of Geddes’s mobile phone revealed communications with other teenage boys, which prompted police to identify additional victims. Among these were a 15-year-old boy from Long Eaton and four others aged between 14 and 15 from Durham, Newcastle, Montrose, and Gwent. The evidence showed that Geddes had groomed these boys online, often while they were in their own homes, and had taken some of them to various locations for sexual encounters.

One particularly troubling case involved an older boy from Long Eaton, also groomed by Geddes, who was taken to a local nature reserve where Geddes kissed him. Geddes, of Coombe Park, Little Sutton, Ellesmere Port, was convicted on multiple counts, including sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His crimes extended to attempted rape, rape, and trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation.

At Derby Crown Court, Geddes pleaded guilty or was found guilty of numerous charges, leading to his sentencing. The court handed down a 15-year prison term, and Geddes was also placed on the sex offenders register, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities post-release.

Detective Sergeant Steve Shaw, of the child exploitation unit, commented on the case, emphasizing the severity of Geddes’s actions. “This sentence reflects the severity of Geddes’ offending. Thankfully, cases such as this are rare but it does highlight the fact that it is not always girls who are victims of exploitation. It’s not only the parents and guardians of girls who need to be aware of the problem. I would urge all parents to be alive to the risks posed by social media sites and to discuss these risks with their children.”

He further stressed the importance of online safety, urging young people not to share personal information online that they wouldn’t feel comfortable sharing face-to-face. Authorities continue to work on raising awareness and educating both parents and children about the dangers lurking on social media platforms. For additional advice and information on staying safe online, the police recommend visiting http://www.ceop.police.uk.