NIGEL TUMMON FROM THATCHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN READING

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Thatcham and the wider Reading area, Nigel Tummon, a man with a long-standing connection to the region, was sentenced to an indefinite prison term for heinous crimes involving a young girl from Tilehurst. The case, which unfolded in Reading Crown Court, revealed a pattern of sexual abuse and the possession of thousands of indecent images of children, some of which were of a particularly graphic nature.

According to court records, Tummon, aged 51 at the time of sentencing, had sexually abused a seven-year-old girl over a period of five months. The abuse was uncovered after the young victim confided in her mother, saying, “Nigel touches me,” prompting a police investigation. The authorities discovered that Tummon had been in possession of approximately 17,000 images depicting children in various states of sexual exploitation. These images ranged from the least severe, classified as level one, to highly graphic photographs at levels four and five.

During the trial, it was revealed that Tummon had a long history of collecting such images, beginning in the 1990s. The majority of the images—around 80 percent—were classified as level one, but hundreds of the images were among the most severe categories. Tummon’s collection included photographs of children engaged in sexual acts, which he had stored on his computer. His disturbing collection and behavior were further compounded by his admission to attending nudist camps, which he used as a means to satisfy his sexual deviancy.

The court heard that Tummon had been a trusted friend of the girl’s family for 18 years, during which he would often bring gifts such as money, chocolates, sweets, and cigarettes. The family, unaware of his true nature, left him alone with the young girl on multiple occasions. It was during these times that he committed the sexual acts, with Tummon claiming that the girl appeared to enjoy the abuse and responded positively to his advances. He even remarked during police interviews that the girl “wanted the attention,” and later stated that “she appeared to enjoy it,” which added to the gravity of his crimes.

Following his arrest, Tummon admitted to three counts of assaulting a child by penetration, 16 counts of making indecent images of a child, two counts of possessing indecent images, and five counts of taking indecent images, all committed between June and November 2007. His guilty plea was seen as an indication of remorse, with his defense arguing that he was genuinely sorry for his actions. During police interviews, Tummon was reported to have become upset, asking for tissues, and expressing relief that he would no longer be able to hurt the girl.

Judge Gordon Risius sentenced Tummon to an indefinite term of imprisonment, with a minimum of four years and eight months, and an equivalent period on parole. In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the betrayal of trust involved, noting that Tummon had gained the confidence of the family to the extent that he was allowed to be alone with the young girl. The judge also highlighted the long-lasting psychological impact on the victim, stating that her mental health issues are likely to be enduring and possibly permanent. The case has left the community of Thatcham and Reading with a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who exploit trust and commit such heinous acts against children.