Paedophile Cracks Under Polygraph and Gets 9 Years for Child Rape
A vile paedophile has been locked up for over nine years after confessing to raping a child — and he did it before his lie detector test even started.
David Nicholson, 46, owned up to sexually assaulting a girl when he broke under the pressure of a polygraph exam he voluntarily agreed to take. The grim case came to light after an online child protection group tipped off police in 2018, claiming Nicholson planned to meet who he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
Confession Before The Test
Police swooped, and Nicholson agreed to the polygraph. But before the machine even kicked in, he crumbled and admitted to historic attacks.
Detective Constable Steve Hawkins of Northumbria Police then met with the victim, now an adult, who bravely opened up about the ordeal years later.
Judge Slams Nicholson with 9 Years & 4 Months
Nicholson of Gatacre Street, Blyth, pleaded guilty in Newcastle Crown Court on November 11 to one count of child rape and six counts of indecent assault. On January 23, the judge sentenced him to nine years and four months behind bars.
“I had buried the memories of the abuse for so many years,” the victim said in a statement read out in court.
“At first, I told the officer nothing happened — I wasn’t a victim. But after a lot of thought, I contacted Detective Constable Hawkins again and told the truth,” she added.
Victim’s Powerful Message of Strength
Despite struggle and pain, the victim says she’s proud of the strong life she’s built.
“Nobody achieved this for me other than myself. I came out the other side and haven’t let this man’s abuse destroy my life.
“He stole my childhood but hasn’t stolen my adulthood. I hope the judge punishes him and I can finally close this chapter and move on.”
Detective Constable Hawkins praised the victim’s courage. “It was incredibly hard for her to talk initially. But her bravery has put a dangerous paedophile behind bars,” he said.
“She has transformed her trauma into a future full of hope and opportunity. Knowing her courage helped keep Nicholson off the streets is inspiring.”
