Nico Williams 28

Description

A man has been jailed for a "relentless" campaign of sexual abuse against a young girl he met on a children's video game.

Nico Williams, 28, of Vicarage Hill, Wrexham, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on Thursday.

He had admitted multiple child sex offenses, including:

• Meeting a child following sexual grooming
• Causing the sexual exploitation of a child
• Sexual activity with a child (x3)
• Making indecent images of a child (x3)

Prosecutor Mark Connor said the offenses occurred over several months in 2025. They were uncovered when English police notified North Wales Police of potential child sexual abuse after finding indecent materials on Williams' device. The images depicted a female child who was identified and traced.

Officers arrested Williams at home. After caution, he said: "She lied about her age," and later: "I stopped taking pictures of her when I found out her age."

The investigation showed Williams knew his actions were wrong early on. He traveled to the victim's area in England multiple times, engaged in penetrative sexual activity with her, and created images and videos of it. He also requested degrading videos from her.

A relative's victim impact statement noted effects on her education: "We were not aware of much of what has happened. Police have told us they know this man was communicating with her constantly. We can't imagine what [she] went through to deal with this. We are glad this man was captured by the police and [she] can now be protected."

Connor noted Williams had no prior convictions.

Defense lawyer Dafydd Roberts said: "He wishes me to express he does accept full responsibility for the offending - he doesn't wish to blame [the victim]. I ask the court to have regard to his guilty plea. Whilst chronologically he is 28 years of age, I do invite the court to consider his level of maturity. The pre-sentence report author writes that [Williams] finds it easier to speak to children. They [Williams and the victim] met over a video game predominantly played by children; that's an indicator of the level at which he is operating."

Roberts highlighted Williams' vulnerabilities, including autism, adverse childhood experiences like his father's sudden death, and prison bullying.

Judge Nicola Jones told Williams: "When the police attended your address, you clearly panicked and said she'd lied about her age. We know now that was a lie on your behalf. By now, you accept full responsibility. I am satisfied you pose a significant risk of committing further offences because your pursuit of this child was relentless. This wasn't a fleeting matter for you; it went on for months."

She described it as a "campaign of sexual abuse" and "predatory behaviour."

Williams was sentenced to nine years in prison, with indefinite restraining and sexual harm prevention orders, plus sex offender notification. He must serve two-thirds in custody, the rest on license.