NIGEL DALTON CROSBY PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS

In January 2015, a disturbing case unfolded in Crosby involving Nigel Dalton, a man convicted of heinous sexual offences against young girls. Dalton, who was 52 years old at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of multiple counts related to the abuse of a young girl and other minors, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned several years.

Dalton, formerly residing on Cranfield Road in Crosby, had a history of offending, including a previous conviction for sexual assault in 2010 against an eight-year-old girl. His criminal record also includes breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on four separate occasions, notably after he befriended families with young children, including toddlers, in an apparent attempt to groom them. At the time of his latest sentencing, Dalton was serving a 35-month prison term for abusing a nine-year-old girl.

The court heard that Dalton’s abuse of the victim, which took place from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s, involved manipulative and disgusting acts. Prosecutor Charles Lander detailed how Dalton coerced the young girl, aged nine to 14, into performing sexual acts and playing sex games, often in exchange for sweets and trips to McDonald's. The abuse also included making her take baths with him, a violation of her innocence and trust. The court was told that the young girl, along with a seven-year-old girl, was too young to comprehend the full extent of what was happening during these assaults.

Dalton’s actions did not cease with the initial offences. In 2011, he again breached his SOPO by befriending another family with two toddlers and spending time alone with them, further demonstrating his ongoing predatory tendencies. During the court proceedings, Dalton, who was described as balding with a grey ponytail and wearing a green coat, was visibly distressed. He covered his face with his hand and sobbed as a victim impact statement was read aloud.

The woman, who was once close to Dalton, recounted her feelings of betrayal and confusion. She explained that she looked up to him, as he had bought her presents and taken her horse riding. She expressed her feelings of being pushed aside when Dalton moved on to a younger girl, and shared her emotional struggles, including self-medication with alcohol and drugs, flashbacks of the abuse, and a diagnosis of a personality disorder linked to his offending.

Judge Stephen Everett delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the severity of Dalton’s crimes. He stated that he was compelled to sentence Dalton under the guidelines applicable at the time of the offences. The judge described Dalton’s behavior as “disgusting” and “perverted,” highlighting that it posed a significant risk of severe harm to children. Although the judge expressed a desire to impose a life sentence, he noted that current guidelines did not permit such a penalty in this case.

As a result, Dalton was sentenced to a term of 11 years and two months in prison, along with an indefinite SOPO to prevent further offending. The judge praised the bravery of the victim in coming forward, acknowledging that her courage had led to Dalton’s removal from the community for many years. Dalton is currently imprisoned at HMP Risley, serving his sentence for these grave offences, which have left a lasting impact on his victims and the community of Crosby.