Dad sent picture of murdered Reece Tansey in coffin to tragic teen's mum

In January this year, following the death of 15-year-old Reece eight months earlier, Ian Nice yelled abuse at Laura Tansey in a supermarket, poured a corrosive substance over her car and changed his WhatsApp profile to a naked picture of his former partner.

At Bolton Magistrates' Court 45-year-old Nice admitted disclosing private sexual images, criminal damage and using threatening or abusive behaviour.

Magistrates decided that the case was so serious that he should be sentenced by a judge at Bolton Crown Court, where he will next appear on July 20.

Nice, of Holcombe Crescent, Kearsley, wept in the dock as Jane Miller, defending, stated: "This is a nuclear fall-out between Mr Nice and Laura Tansey."

"The offences were committed against a tragic background," Richard Blackburn, prosecuting, told magistrates.

"Their son Reece was murdered in 2021 and the defendant, at some time, has laid blame for that on the complainant, his former partner."

Reece with mum Laura Tansey

Reece was stabbed to death by 16-year-old James White, who was convicted of murdering him and jailed for a minimum of 15 years while his accomplice, Mark Nuttall, aged 15, who was found guilty of manslaughter was sentenced to six years.

The teenagers, who did not know Reece, had met him in the middle of the night for a fight after an argument on social media.

On January 10 this year Nice, who was separated from Ms Tansey, his former partner of 18 years, came across her eating breakfast with a friend in Bolton town centre Morrisons cafe.

Nice approached their table, hurled abuse at her and shouted that she was the one who "killed our Reece".

"It caused her particular distress on hearing that," said Mr Blackburn. "The incident was overheard by a security guard who intervened and the defendant left."

Ian Nice with son Reece

The following day Ms Tansey drove to visit a friend and parked her Vauxhall Corsa on Parkfield Road.

But at 11am when she went back to the car she found it covered in a white substance which dissolved the paint and caused £2,000 of damage.

CCTV showed Nice nearby and he later admitted throwing liquid at the vehicle, claiming he had used some sort of conditioner in a bottle which he found in his shed.

"He said it was an act of stupidity and he had not meant to cause any damage," said Mr Blackburn.

Then on January 13 Nice changed his WhatsApp profile using a naked image of Ms Tansey which she had previously sent to him some time ago.

"She received a message from the defendant and was very distressed at finding that this intimate photograph had found its way onto that platform," said Mr Blackburn.

"All contacts in his phone could have seen this image. The defendant said he had done this as he was not thinking right.

"He also admitted that he had sent the victim a picture of him holding their deceased son's hand whilst he was in a coffin, via WhatsApp,that the complainant had not asked to see this photograph and that she would have found this photograph distressing."

Reece Tansey

The court heard that Nice has previous convictions including for assault in 2019 when he was sent to prison for 15 weeks and robbery in 2006 when he was jailed for 21 months.

Since his arrest in January Nice has been subject to a curfew which prevented him working in traffic management, placing cones in motorway roadworks throughout the country.

But magistrates agreed to lift the curfew prior to his sentencing after hearing that there have been no further incidents.

Ian Nice leaves court

A GPS tag which prevents Nice from going near Ms Tansey's home, will remain.

From the dock, Nice told magistrates: "I just want to say apologies that I am here today facing these offences."