Abuser: Child rapist Harold Nicholson, 71, terrified his victim into staying silent for years A CUMBRIAN pensioner convicted of repeatedly raping a child has been jailed for 20 years. At Carlisle Crown Court, a judge told 71-year-old Harold Nicholson that he had “terrified” his victim into not telling anybody about the rapes, which the prosecution said happened on at least ten occasions and began when she was aged 11. Nicholson denied the allegations. But after a trial he was convicted of five rapes. In her personal statement, the victim - now an adult - said Nicholson warned her he would kill her and members of family if she told anybody.
Plea: Detective Constable Kerry Gibson, of North Cumbria Police s Crime and Safeguarding Team, praised the victim and said the case shows it is never too late to seek justice. A DETECTIVE has praised the courage of a Carlisle child rape victim whose abuser has been jailed for 20 years. The city s crown court heard that 71-year-old Harold Nicholson “terrified” his victim, threatening to kill her and other members of her family if she told anybody. She was just 11 when the rapes began, the court heard. Nicholson, of Holywell Crescent, Botcherby, denied the allegations. But he was convicted of raping the child five times - though prosecutors say it happened at least twice that many times.
Abuser: Child rapist Harold Nicholson, 71, terrified his victim into staying silent for years A pensioner convicted of repeatedly raping a child has been jailed for 20 years. At the crown court, a judge told 71-year-old Harold Nicholson that he had “terrified” his victim into not telling anybody about the rapes, which the prosecution said happened on at least ten occasions and began when she was aged 11. Nicholson, of Holywell Crescent, Botcherby, Carlisle, denied the allegations. But after a trial he was convicted of five rapes. In her personal statement, the victim - now an adult - said Nicholson warned her he would kill her and members of family if she told anybody.