CHELTENHAM CHILDCARE WORKER CHRISTO CRUZ SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS FOR ABUSING TWO-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In November 2016, a tragic case of child abuse unfolded in Cheltenham, leading to the conviction and sentencing of Christo Cruz, a 36-year-old childminder residing on Siskin Drive, Springbank. Cruz was found guilty by a jury at Gloucester Crown Court of abusing a two-year-old girl under his care, despite his denial of the allegations. The incident came to light when the child's mother arrived unexpectedly early to pick up her daughter and discovered her lying on a changing mat, crying in apparent pain.

The mother’s concern was immediate and intense. She observed her daughter in distress, and Cruz, who was responsible for the child's care at the time, claimed that he had been changing her when she suddenly screamed out in pain. Cruz stated that he lifted the child's legs to check if she was lying on something uncomfortable and then noticed blood, which alarmed him. The mother responded by applying Sudocrem and a fresh nappy before taking her daughter home. Both she and her partner attempted to assess what had happened, but the young girl was visibly upset and reluctant to allow them to examine her.

Concerned about her daughter's condition, the mother and her partner took the child to the Accident & Emergency department, where medical professionals discovered internal injuries consistent with abuse. The severity of the injuries prompted immediate police intervention. Cruz was subsequently arrested and questioned by authorities. During police interviews, Cruz claimed that he was sitting at the kitchen table playing with play dough when he needed to change the child's nappy. He described the scene, saying, “The girl laid down on the mat and the other child sat next to me on my right hand side. I turned to get a clean nappy and she shouted ‘ouch’ and let out a scream. The other child jumped up and ran and stood by the table when the girl screamed and seemed in shock.”

Despite the detailed account, medical evidence and the paediatrician’s testimony confirmed that the injuries could only have been caused by abuse. Cruz was asked if he was sexually aroused by children, to which he responded, “no.” He also denied any involvement in sexual misconduct. However, the jury found him guilty of the charges, and Cruz was visibly distressed in the courtroom, weeping with his head in his hands after the verdict was announced.

Following the conviction, Cruz requested to be sentenced immediately, bypassing the usual pre-sentence report process. Recorder John Trevaskis sentenced Cruz to a substantial term of eleven years in prison. The judge emphasized that Cruz’s breach of trust as a childminder significantly aggravated the case. In his sentencing remarks, Recorder Trevaskis stated, “Having regard to the very significant impact that a custodial sentence will have on you and on your family, I have come to the conclusion that the appropriate sentence is one of eleven years. You will be required to serve two thirds of that before being released on licence. Additionally, you will have to sign the sex offender register for the rest of your life.”

The judge also acknowledged the gravity of the incident, remarking, “Clearly something terrible happened on that day.” The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such breaches of trust and abuse are regarded, especially when committed by individuals entrusted with the care of vulnerable children in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas.