“Long nailed” Paedophile finally brought to justice more than two decades later

Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday 6th March 2025, at 18:30hrs

Christopher Oates, a 44-year-old paedophile known as ‘Nails’ due to his long fingernails, has admitted to a string of horrific offences, including the sexual exploitation of two teenage girls and firearm possession, following a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) investigation.

Oates, from Stockport, pleaded guilty on the fourth day of his trial at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court, marking a significant victory for victims of non-recent child sexual abuse in the region.

Oates admitted to three charges: intentionally causing a 14-year-old girl to be sexually exploited and groomed into prostitution, intentionally causing a 17-year-old girl to be sexually exploited and groomed into prostitution, and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

The court heard harrowing details of Oates’ grooming and abuse, which occurred in the 2000s. He coerced one of the girls, then just 14, into believing he was her boyfriend, before subjecting her to sex work and selling her to other men. He also threatened a teenage girl with a gun down a Manchester alleyway.

The breakthrough in the case came in November 2020 when one of the victims, having seen media coverage of GMP’s Operation Green Jacket, came forward to report Oates’ abuse. She and her friend bravely provided detailed accounts, which were presented as video evidence in court, ultimately leading to Oates’ guilty plea.

Detective Inspector Eleanor Humphrey, the senior investigating officer, expressed her relief and admiration for the victims.

“I am so pleased for both women that they have today finally got some justice all these years after this horrific abuse,” she said. “Christopher Oates is a depraved and manipulative paedophile. The abuse he subjected these two girls to was horrific.

He was even prepared to try and deny this throughout a trial and make the victims relive it all over again. Thankfully, due to the weight of evidence against him, his crimes have finally caught up with him two decades later. This is all thanks to the brave and compelling testimony from the victims, who now have been spared the experience of being cross-examined in court.”

Oates is the first offender to be convicted as part of Operation Green Jacket, GMP’s wide-ranging investigation into non-recent child sexual abuse in Manchester during the 2000s, led by the dedicated Child Sexual Exploitation Major Incident Team.

Assistant Chief Constable Steph Parker, GMP’s lead for public protection and vulnerability, emphasized the significance of this conviction.

“Today is a significant day for GMP and its ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of non-recent child sexual abuse,” she stated.

“Firstly, I commend the bravery of the victims and the meticulous dedication of the investigation team and support services. Together, long-awaited justice has been secured.”

ACC Steph Parker also stressed that Operation Green Jacket is far from over, with numerous live investigations and over 70 arrests made. “Time is no barrier to justice in GM. No matter how long ago the abuse, when you are ready we will listen to you,” she affirmed.

The conviction of Christopher Oates sends a clear message that GMP is committed to pursuing justice for victims of child sexual abuse, regardless of the passage of time.