THOMAS NICHOLS SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR PREDATORY RAPE IN ACCRINGTON AND HYNDBURN

In December 2019, Thomas Nichols, a resident of Belfield Road in Accrington, was convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving two vulnerable women. The court found that Nichols had deliberately targeted intoxicated women, acting in a predatory manner, and subjected them to brutal assaults that have left lasting scars.

One of the victims was a woman who was asleep when Nichols raped her in her own home. The incident occurred after a night out in Hyndburn, where Nichols had initially approached her and her friend in the street, asking for cigarette papers. After joining them for a drink at the friend’s house, Nichols suggested they go to a party, which he then took them to in his shed. The court heard that the shed contained a camp bed and numerous fish tanks, which made the women feel uneasy and uncomfortable.

Following this, the women decided to leave and went to the victim’s house, where they bought alcohol and continued drinking in the lounge. During this time, Nichols made inappropriate comments about the victim’s hips and legs. The victim, who had been drinking heavily and was affected by alcohol, eventually fell asleep on the sofa. When her friend decided to leave, she asked Nichols to accompany her, but he chose to stay behind. The victim later awoke to find Nichols holding her on her stomach and engaging in sexual activity without her consent. She immediately reacted, swearing at him and demanding he leave. Nichols fled the scene when she screamed for him to get out.

Police were called, and DNA evidence confirmed Nichols’s involvement. When arrested, Nichols denied the allegations, claiming that the sexual encounter was consensual. The second victim, a married woman, was approached by Nichols outside a bar in Accrington in the early hours. She agreed to go with him, despite feeling affected by alcohol and recognizing her own marital commitments. She expressed her discomfort when Nichols returned to her in boxer shorts and began kissing her hand. She tried to leave, but Nichols insisted she stay, and despite her protests and attempts to push him away, he proceeded to rape her.

During police interviews, Nichols maintained that the sex was consensual, stating that he had taken a young woman back to his shed and that they had engaged in consensual sex. The court heard that both victims suffered significant emotional and psychological trauma. One victim was described as being “completely broken,” experiencing flashbacks, nightmares, and clinical depression. The other victim reported suffering from anxiety and described the impact as more emotional than physical.

Prosecutor Jon Close characterized Nichols’s actions as “predatory offences,” emphasizing the severe harm inflicted on the victims. The court was told that Nichols’s behavior demonstrated control and manipulation, with the victims feeling vulnerable and exploited. The judge, Sara Dodd, acknowledged the seriousness of the offenses and the psychological damage caused. She sentenced Nichols to a total of 18 years in prison, with 13 years to be served and an additional five years on extended license, classifying him as a dangerous offender.

Judge Dodd expressed her disapproval of Nichols’s attitude, noting that he showed no remorse or insight into his actions. She highlighted that Nichols had caused profound psychological harm, especially to the first victim, who was unconscious and unable to resist. The judge emphasized that Nichols’s targeting of vulnerable, intoxicated women was deeply concerning and that his manipulative and controlling tendencies made him a continued threat to women. She concluded that until Nichols shows genuine remorse and insight, he remains a danger to society and women in particular.