Groomed, by Nicola Tallant
Groomed is a brilliant title for this book, which not only covers the topic of adult grooming, but is also set amongst the grooms and and riders of the horsey set in Northern Ireland.
A true story, its patterns are all too familiar.
When a talented aspiring jockey, the vivacious Katie Simpson is reported to have hung herself, it was, in reality, the almost inevitable result of an arrogant, narcissistic man with a cherub like face and an almost cult like following, Jonathan ‘Jonny’ Creswell.
The book gallops toward Katie’s almost inevitable end, detailing the all too familiar story of next level, ignored, domestic abuse. Of one missed opportunity to prevent a tragedy after another. And of the people who stood by and didn’t act.
In the same way as Ghislaine Maxwell was hidden in plain sight, the murderous perpetrator Cresswell was wandering around in plain sight. But if Maxwell at least had the decency to hide, Creswell felt no such compulsion: he was openly participating in riding competitions with his wins hitting the news.
In the same way as so many adult groomers have people around them who enable, so did Creswell. The women in his life forgave him most things in almost cult-like fashion, but Katy, groomed from a young age and sister to his ‘official’ partner, was coerced – but the almost textbook coercive control was barely recognised as such.
Narcissism. Rule flouting. Deception. Chaotic lifestyles. Short prison sentences. Cult like behaviours. And in case I didn’t say it loudly enough the first time, missed opportunities.
How it took the bravery of one person speaking up to bring him to justice. And a journalist on the case.
And how, like so many before him, he escaped it.
Despite knowing how this story ended before beginning, as Katie lies in her bed unconscious, having just found her chance for love, I found myself willing her to wake up and tell her story, to get on and enjoy her life and fall in love.
Lessons should have been learned. But this story feels so familiar that it’s hoping against hope that they will have been.
Well narrated, if you want to see what grooming looks and feels like, this is an almost classic, if tragic, tale. And behind the many damaged lives that Cresswell left in his wake, lies the story of a likeable, talented young woman on the brink of a new life and career success lost to the World, and, more especially, especially to those who loved her.
Tallant, Nicola. ‘Groomed. Coercion, Control and a Cold-blooded Murder’. Narrated by Nicola Tallant, Audible, October 2025.
Footnote:
i) The next pre-inquest review hearing around Katie’s death is scheduled for the second week of May 2026.
ii) Police apologise. (Sky News report)
