A man who bravely came forward about being abused as a child over three decades ago has finally seen the paedophile responsible brought to justice.
Ian Nixon has been sentenced to over 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to three offences dating back to the 1980s.
The 57-year-old was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday (March 14) after his victim gave significant evidence to Greater Manchester Police in summer 2019.
The court heard that Nixon abused the boy, who was of infant school age, at a house in Rochdale on three occasions over a two-year period in the late 1980s. Some 30 years later, Nixon's victim gave GMP graphic detail of a number of serious incidents that he was subjected to during that time.
Detectives from GMP Rochdale district's Child Protection Investigation Unit soon interviewed Nixon, at his then-home in Blackpool. He claimed he did not remember the victim and could not recall the incidents that had been described by the victim - but he didn't deny that they had occurred.
Nixon, currently of no fixed address, was later charged with indecent assault, gross indecency and a serious sexual offence which would now be considered rape. He pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2021.
Nixon has now been ordered to serve 13 years and four months in jail and has been made to sign the sex offenders register. The victim has been offered continuous support from specialist officers and partner agencies throughout the case, GMP says.
Det Con Dave Neil, of GMP Rochdale's Child Protection Investigation Unit, said: "Firstly, I have to pay tribute to the patience and stoicism of the survivor of this depraved abuse, as it is his bravery when coming forward - and the subsequent detail of his evidence - that has ensured Nixon will now rightly spend many years behind bars.
"The campaign of sexual abuse that Nixon subjected his young and vulnerable victim to... was utterly appalling and something the boy has had to grow up dealing with mentally and emotionally all the way up to adulthood.
"It's clear that no abuser can escape the consequences of their actions, no matter how long ago their offending was, and we will do our utmost to bring anyone responsible for such deplorable abuse to justice; while doing all we can with our partners to listen and support any victim of recent or non-recent sexual harm."
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, report it to police or one of Greater Manchester's support agencies:
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Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre offers forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for men, women and children of all ages - call 0161 276 6515 24-hours a day
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Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives - call 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
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Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation - call 0161 236 2182.
