In February 2019, the Offender Database reported that Nathan Woods, then 34, of Kingswood Avenue, Park North, Swindon, was sentenced to nine years at Swindon Crown Court. Woods, described by police as a “calculating and manipulative” predator, was convicted of targeting a 14-year-old girl while on early release from prison for an almost identical crime.
The court heard that Woods utilised the “Darren ‘Daz’ Jones” persona on Snapchat, posing as a 22-year-old and using a photo of a younger man to groom his victim. Over several months in 2018, he established a “relationship” with the girl, who believed he was her boyfriend. Forensic analysis of his mobile phone revealed he had called the child more than 200 times, with one call lasting nearly five hours. Woods coerced the girl into sending indecent images of herself and forced her to watch movies of him performing sex acts. He even arranged physical meetings with the child, though he failed to show up.
Woods’ offending was noted as being “identical” to the crimes for which he was jailed in 2014, where he used a fake identity to groom a 14-year-old girl in Essex and forced her to perform sex acts on herself via webcam. Investigator Darhyl Davies of Wiltshire Police stated that Woods’ “unrelenting and deliberate” contact highlighted his extreme risk to the public. The court praised the victim’s mother for her tireless efforts in helping police identify Woods after her daughter suffered a “meltdown” due to the abuse.
Woods admitted to breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act. Judge Jason Taylor QC labelled him a high-risk offender and sentenced him to six years in custody with an extended three-year license period, totalling a nine-year sentence. This means Woods will remain under strict supervision for a long time after his physical release from prison.
As a result of his status as a repeat sexual predator, Nathan Woods is a registered sex offender for life. He is managed under the highest level of Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in the Swindon and Wiltshire area. This framework ensures that Wiltshire Police and the National Probation Service maintain permanent, 24-hour monitoring of his digital activities and residency. He is also subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which legally bars him from using aliases or social media to contact minors.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.