BARRY ALDCROFT

REPEAT SEX OFFENDER JAILED AFTER EXPOSING HIMSELF ON A BUS

A man with a history of sexual offences has been sentenced to prison after a series of disturbing incidents involving minors and other passengers.

Barry Aldcroft, aged 38, followed three young girls onto a bus in Newcastle city centre on April 23 last year.

During the journey, he made them feel uncomfortable by sitting nearby and taking photographs.

Fearing for their safety, the teenagers decided to leave the bus at an earlier stop.

However, one girl remembered she had left her phone charger behind.

When she returned to retrieve it, Aldcroft exposed himself to her.

The incident was immediately reported to the bus driver, and Aldcroft subsequently assaulted a male passenger by punching him in the face.

He was then detained by members of the public.

Aldcroft, who lives on Tangmere Close in Cramlington, faced charges including sexual activity in front of a child, exposure, assault, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) placed on him in 2021 following a previous conviction for attempting to communicate sexually with a minor.

In March, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of all charges.

On Tuesday, the court sentenced him to four years in prison.

Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for the rest of his life.