NIGEL WHITE FROM THANET SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN GREENHITH AND MARGATE

In December 2017, a woman who endured horrific abuse at the hands of Nigel White, a man from Thanet, bravely shared her story to raise awareness and help others who may be suffering in silence.

White, aged 53 at the time, was sentenced to a decade in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to the sexual abuse he inflicted upon the young girl during her childhood. His crimes were committed while he was residing in Greenhithe during the early 1980s, but he has since lived at various addresses in Margate and Ramsgate, both within the Thanet area, since 1989.

The victim, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, recounted her traumatic experiences, revealing that she was only five years old when the abuse began. She described how the abuse started at her fifth birthday party and continued to escalate over the years, eventually stopping when she was around eleven. Despite her young age, she was aware that what was happening was wrong, but she struggled to find the words or courage to speak out at the time.

She explained, “It started at my fifth birthday party, it carried on getting worse and worse. It stopped when I was about 11. I said to him I did not like it, I did not want it to happen. I have had quite a lot of therapy since.”

The woman also revealed that White was physically abusive towards her and her family, often resorting to violence. “He used to beat the living daylights out of us,” she said, emphasizing the severity of the abuse she endured.

Growing up, she always sensed that she was different and questioned her own innocence. She recalled a disturbing moment when White sat her on his knee and admitted, “I know you know I didn’t do things right by you, I am very sorry.” She described how she bottled up her feelings and buried the painful memories deep inside her.

She further shared her confusion and distress, saying, “I was watching the film The Monster Squad when I was about 9-10 and I didn’t know whether I was a virgin or not.” This statement highlights her ongoing struggle with her sense of identity and the lasting impact of the abuse.

Following White’s sentencing on February 10, the victim expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, feeling that justice had been served. However, she also emphasized the importance of speaking out against abuse. “I am quite happy with the outcome. If a child comes forward with an allegation you have to believe them,” she stated.

She urged others who have experienced similar trauma to find the courage to speak out, asserting, “This is not my shame, there will always be someone out there that cares. Do not sit in silence, definitely speak out. My life would have been so much different if I had.”

Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to and believing victims, and the necessity of addressing abuse openly to prevent further suffering.