NICHOLAS GODDARD CHIPPING NORTON EX-LECTURER GUILTY OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN OXFORD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Chipping Norton and the wider Oxford area, Nicholas Goddard, a former senior law lecturer at Oxford Brookes University, was found guilty of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. The incident came to light after a detailed investigation by Thames Valley Police’s specialized online unit, which uncovered the extent of his illicit activities.

Goddard, aged 57 and a resident of Church Road in Chipping Norton at the time, was implicated in a series of criminal acts involving the possession and dissemination of child abuse images. Between the years 2008 and 2012, he downloaded thousands of such images using his office computer, a fact that was revealed during his trial at Oxford Crown Court. The prosecution, led by Cathy Olliver, detailed how officers from the police’s online investigations team traced communications between Goddard and known paedophiles, ultimately leading to his arrest in February 2012.

During the police search, authorities discovered a staggering collection of 3,699 images and videos stored across multiple devices, including his computer, a USB stick, and a hard drive. Among these were 295 images depicting children being subjected to abuse. Goddard admitted to the charges, which included 11 counts of possession and one count of distribution of indecent images of children. His actions, as described in court, involved not only downloading these images but also sharing them online and engaging in discussions about them with other adults involved in similar activities.

Goddard’s background was also scrutinized during the proceedings. According to information from Oxford Brookes University’s website, he joined the institution in 2002 after spending two decades in private legal practice. Prior to his academic career, he served in the armed forces, later retraining to specialize in construction law. His professional reputation was well-established until the revelations of his criminal conduct.

Throughout the trial, his defense lawyer, Lucy Tapper, emphasized that Goddard had already taken steps toward rehabilitation. She noted that he had completed a sex offenders’ course provided by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and described him as a man who had been “stripped down to his absolute core,” suggesting that his actions were a profound deviation from his previous character. Tapper argued that the case was more about rehabilitation than punishment.

Judge Ian Pringle, presiding over the case, acknowledged Goddard’s previously unblemished record and his standing in the community. However, the judge also highlighted the severity of the crime, emphasizing the heinous nature of the images involved. He stated, “Anyone who has had the misfortune of having to look at those images knows the appalling nature of them.”

In sentencing, Judge Pringle sentenced Goddard to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, coupled with a two-year sex offender treatment program. Additionally, he was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and ordered to pay costs amounting to £340. The judge made it clear that the defendant’s actions had caused significant harm, and the sentence aimed to balance punishment with the potential for rehabilitation.

Following the hearing, Oxford Brookes University confirmed that Goddard had resigned from his position after being suspended during the investigation. Oxford Brookes spokesman Edward Reed expressed concern over the case, reaffirming the university’s stance against such conduct and emphasizing the importance of safeguarding the community from individuals involved in child exploitation crimes.

Thames Valley Police’s investigating officer, Simon Beaton, issued a stark warning to those involved in similar activities, stating, “We never lose sight that each individual image depicts a child being abused. Looking for the image, storing it, and sharing it is part of the story of the abuse of these children. Our message to those engaged in this activity is simple: we will trace you and bring you to justice.”