PIGEON RACING PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO NEARLY 19 YEARS
A man involved in pigeon racing and convicted of serious sexual offenses has been sentenced to a total of 18 years and nine months in prison.Ronald Nicklin, aged 78 and residing at St Annes Villas on Mill Dam Lane, pleaded guilty to numerous charges that included the rape of a minor, sexual assault of a child under 13, exposure, and inciting a young girl under 13 to perform sexual acts.
The court was informed that some of these crimes occurred over several incidents involving at least two young girls, spanning from 2005 to 2011.
Nicklin’s abuse of his first victim continued until she entered secondary school, after which he targeted a second girl, abusing her at his allotments, where he kept racing pigeons.
His acts encompassed rape, public exposure, and threats to keep the victims silent.
Both survivors continue to bear emotional scars.
Additionally, Nicklin has a background of mental health problems, including severe anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
The judge acknowledged his guilty plea, which is considered uncommon in cases of this nature, and imposed a sentence that accounts for the seriousness of his crimes, along with provisions for extended supervision and parole conditions.
