PHILIP NICHOLSON FROM BRIDLINGTON AND HUNTINGTON SENTENCED FOR ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In June 2004, a tragic case unfolded involving Philip Nicholson, a 42-year-old man whose actions have left a lasting scar on a young girl and her family. Nicholson, a car mechanic formerly residing in North Moor, Huntington, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes committed against a 12-year-old girl over a span of more than three years. The abuse, which took place primarily in Bridlington, was part of a disturbing pattern of exploitation that Nicholson orchestrated to satisfy his own depraved desires.

According to the court proceedings, Nicholson was responsible for a total of nine criminal offences, including six counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency. The court heard that his abuse began when the girl was just nine years old, and continued until she was 12, with Nicholson manipulating and threatening her to maintain control over her. The victim, who initially kept her suffering secret out of fear, finally confided in a friend in March of this year, revealing the extent of her trauma.

During the sentencing, Recorder Lesley Dickinson described Nicholson’s actions as “deplorable, reprehensible and disgraceful,” emphasizing the profound impact such crimes have on victims and their families. She expressed her revulsion at the offences, stating, “These offences were deplorable, reprehensible and disgraceful. Those who hear about them, or read about them, can only shudder at their baseness.”

The victim’s grandmother, speaking out publicly, conveyed her anguish and anger. She revealed that her granddaughter has yet to fully process her ordeal, noting that the girl has fallen behind in her schoolwork and has yet to shed tears over her suffering. The grandmother expressed her intense hatred for Nicholson, saying, “I hate him. I hope he rots in hell. He has shown no remorse. He was a charmer. I don’t care how long he gets, he has ruined my family.”

Prosecutor Heather Humpage explained that although Nicholson was originally from York, the abuse occurred in Bridlington between January 2001 and March 2004. She highlighted the girl’s awareness that her experiences were wrong from an early age, but her fear prevented her from speaking out until she found the courage to confide in a friend.

Humpage also detailed the emotional toll on the girl’s family, particularly her mother, who was said to be close to a breakdown after discovering the abuse. Nicholson’s legal representative, Richard Woolfall, acknowledged the gravity of the crimes, stating, “He accepts that whatever sentence he received will not go far enough for the family of the complainant.”

In light of his crimes, Nicholson was sentenced to five years in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and prohibited from working with children in any capacity, reflecting the court’s determination to protect others from potential harm in the future.