Ethan Nolan is in prison serving a sentence of 19 years and 6 months after being convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, and other serious sexual and violent offences against two women in Bristol and Surrey. He was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on 12 March 2026.
Who Is Ethan Nolan?
Ethan Nolan, born 13 October 2001, is a 24-year-old man from Bristol. He was described by a court as a “dangerous man” who used psychological, financial, and physical abuse to control women in his intimate relationships. Surrey Police, who investigated his crimes against his second victim, described him as someone who deliberately targeted vulnerable women and escalated his abusive behaviour over time.
At the time of his sentencing in March 2026, Nolan had no previous convictions recorded in court proceedings. His pattern of offending was characterised by calculated manipulation followed by escalating violence.
The Crimes: Abuse of Two Women
Nolan’s offending involved two separate victims over a period of approximately three years, spanning Bristol and Surrey.
His first victim was a woman in Bristol whom he entered a relationship with in 2022. Nolan raped her while she slept at her home. He then attempted to manipulate her into believing the assault was normal behaviour, a tactic designed to prevent her from reporting the offence.
In April 2023, Nolan began a relationship with a second woman in Surrey. He initially appeared to be a caring partner, but quickly began controlling her: restricting her contact with friends and family, dictating how she dressed, and coercing her into handing over her bank cards and sending him money. His behaviour then escalated into regular physical violence. On one occasion he told her: “If I leave bruises over you, people will know you are mine.”
He was also convicted of intentional strangulation of the Surrey victim — a serious offence that was made a standalone criminal offence in England and Wales under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021. The charge reflects the extreme danger posed by this form of violence, which is associated with a significant risk of serious injury or death.
Both women showed considerable courage in coming forward, and their accounts were central to the prosecution’s case at trial.
Trial and Conviction
Nolan stood trial at Bristol Crown Court. Following a six-day trial in January 2026, a jury found him guilty of all charges. The offences for which he was convicted were: three counts of rape, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, one count of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault by touching, and one count of intentional strangulation.
The involvement of two separate victims across two different counties made this an unusually wide-ranging case, requiring close co-operation between Surrey Police and Avon and Somerset Police in building the prosecution case.
Sentencing: 19 Years and Six Months
At Bristol Crown Court on 12 March 2026, Ethan Nolan was sentenced to 19 years and 6 months in prison. In addition to the custodial sentence, the judge imposed a lifelong restraining order prohibiting Nolan from contacting either victim, and placed him on the sex offenders register for life.
The length of the sentence reflects the seriousness and multiplicity of the offences, the significant harm caused to both victims, and the calculated and manipulative nature of Nolan’s conduct. His crimes spanned multiple offences over multiple years against multiple victims, which judges treat as significant aggravating factors at sentencing.
For more information about how serious sexual offenders are managed in UK prisons and what the sex offenders register means in practice, visit our guide to UK prisons and our overview of how to find a prisoner in the UK.
Impact on the Victims
Both victims provided victim impact statements, detailing the profound psychological harm caused by Nolan’s actions. Surrey Police praised both women for the courage it took to report the offences and to give evidence at trial, noting that speaking out enabled Nolan to be held accountable and prevented further harm to other potential victims.
Cases involving controlling and coercive behaviour alongside rape and sexual violence are among the most complex for investigators and prosecutors. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 created new powers to address patterns of coercive control, and Nolan’s case illustrates how these powers can be used alongside other serious charges to reflect the full scale of a defendant’s offending.
If you or someone you know needs information about supporting a person in custody, see our guide on how to book a prison visit or how to send money to a prisoner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ethan Nolan in prison?
Ethan Nolan is in prison because he was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, one count of sexual assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault by touching, and one count of intentional strangulation against two women in Bristol and Surrey. He was sentenced on 12 March 2026 at Bristol Crown Court.
How long is Ethan Nolan’s sentence?
Ethan Nolan was sentenced to 19 years and 6 months in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given a lifelong restraining order preventing him from contacting his victims.
Who did Ethan Nolan abuse?
Ethan Nolan abused two women. His first victim was a woman in Bristol, whom he raped in 2022. His second victim was a woman in Surrey, whom he began a relationship with in April 2023 and subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour, financial abuse, repeated physical violence, sexual assault, and intentional strangulation.
Where was Ethan Nolan convicted?
Ethan Nolan was tried and convicted at Bristol Crown Court following a six-day trial in January 2026. He was sentenced at the same court on 12 March 2026.
Is Ethan Nolan on the sex offenders register?
Yes. As part of his sentence, Ethan Nolan was placed on the sex offenders register for life. This means he is subject to ongoing notification requirements and management by the police and other authorities for the rest of his life.
