NIGEL HESMONDHALGH FROM ACCRINGTON SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND RACIAL HARASSMENT

In January 2011, the community of Accrington was shaken by the sentencing of Nigel Hesmondhalgh, a resident of Stanley Street, who was found guilty of possessing child pornography and previously involved in racially motivated harassment. Hesmondhalgh, aged 37, was sentenced to nine months in prison after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images and videos depicting children on his personal computer.

The investigation was initiated after police conducted a search of Hesmondhalgh’s residence in Hyndburn, which occurred shortly after his release from a 30-week jail term in November of the previous year. Within just two weeks of the search, law enforcement officials seized his computer and discovered a total of 29 indecent images of children, along with 11 videos containing similar content. Among these, four images and three videos were classified as level four, indicating the second most severe category of child pornography.

Judge Simon Newell presided over the case at Burnley Crown Court, where he imposed the nine-month custodial sentence on Hesmondhalgh. Additionally, the judge ordered Hesmondhalgh to sign the sex offenders’ register for a period of ten years, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the potential risk posed to the community.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Claire Holbrook issued a statement highlighting the importance of the case. She expressed hope that the verdict would serve as a stern warning to others who might consider viewing or distributing such material. She stated, “I hope this case will serve as a warning to those who view such material that we will find them out, arrest them and do everything within our power to prosecute them. In downloading this material, the viewers indirectly cause these horrific offences and images to continue to be produced.”

It is noteworthy that Hesmondhalgh’s criminal record also includes a racially aggravated harassment conviction. In March, he was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court for racially motivated harassment, which involved offensive language and actions directed at an Asian family. Prior to his latest sentence, police had obtained a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) against him, aimed at preventing him from engaging in further antisocial conduct, such as throwing dog dirt into neighbors’ gardens or using racist language.

The case underscores ongoing concerns within the Accrington community regarding both child exploitation and racial hostility, prompting law enforcement to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect residents and uphold justice.