NICHOLAS READ FROM CHEADLE SHAMES TRAIN IN STAR WARS AND HARRY POTTER INCIDENTS

In July 2012, Nicholas Read, a man known for his roles in popular films such as Star Wars and Harry Potter, faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct that culminated in a court hearing at Manchester Crown Court. The 41-year-old, who has gained notoriety for his appearances as an Ewok in the Star Wars saga and as a goblin in the Harry Potter series, was convicted of multiple sex offences, including exposure and inappropriate touching.

Read's criminal activities came to light after a series of disturbing incidents on trains, with the most recent occurring in October of the previous year. On that occasion, he was accused of trapping a female victim in a window seat on a train traveling between London and Leicester. The victim, who was a young woman, recounted her ordeal in court, describing how Read, who was visibly intoxicated after drinking half a bottle of gin, engaged in indecent behavior during the 55-minute journey.

According to her testimony, Read placed his hat on his crotch and made movements that she found alarming. She observed his hand moving under the hat through the reflection in the train window. The victim explained that Read attempted to catch her attention by tilting his hat up and looking at his crotch area, repeatedly glancing at her during the journey. She was so frightened by his actions that she was unable to immediately report the incident but managed to alert a British Transport Police officer upon disembarking at Sheffield station. The police subsequently arrested Read when he left the train.

During the court proceedings, the judge, Robert Thomas QC, described Read’s behavior as chilling and emphasized the vulnerability of the victim. The judge noted that the young woman was so terrified that she could not immediately complain for fear of further assault. Read, who was dressed in a blue suit, white shirt, and yellow tie, appeared in court accompanied by another dwarf, reflecting his physical stature of just 4 feet 5 inches.

The court heard that Read’s criminal record included a previous conviction for indecent assault in 2004. That incident involved him drunkenly climbing into bed with a sleeping stage manager and her boyfriend after a New Year’s party with his Snow White pantomime cast, during which he inappropriately touched the woman’s hand to his genitals. Additionally, records revealed that as early as 1995, Read had made a series of explicit and unsolicited phone calls to women from a hotel room.

In the recent case, Read was sentenced to a 16-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered to register as a sex offender. He is also required to inform police of his travel plans whenever he uses trains. The judge expressed concern that a short custodial sentence might not serve as an effective deterrent or protect the public, given Read’s history and the nature of his offenses. As part of his sentence, Read was also ordered to pay £500 towards prosecution costs.

Prosecutors highlighted that Read’s actions on the train, which lasted between 30 and 40 minutes, caused significant distress to the victim. Her account detailed how he placed his hat on his crotch and moved his hand beneath it, attempting to attract her attention. Her fear was so profound that she was unable to immediately report the incident, but she did so once she disembarked and spoke with police officers.

Inspector Mark Clements of the British Transport Police condemned Read’s conduct, stating, “Read’s actions were deplorable. He targeted a young, vulnerable woman who was too scared to speak or move from her seat. His denial of the offence forced the victim to relive her trauma in court. Fortunately, her quick reporting allowed police to act swiftly and arrest him.”

Despite his criminal record and recent convictions, Read’s involvement in entertainment, particularly in pantomimes and themed events such as stag parties where he offers to be handcuffed dressed as characters like a Smurf or Oompa-Loompa, continues to draw attention. His defense team argued that his career has been severely impacted by these allegations, with many of his previous engagements canceled. The court and police officials expressed hope that Read might find a way to pursue more conventional roles in the future, away from activities that could lead to further harm or legal issues.