CRAIG FAIRCLAUGH JAILED FOR ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ROBBERY IN HANLEY AND CHELL

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Craig Fairclough, a 33-year-old man from Downey Street, Hanley, has been sentenced to a significant prison term following a series of disturbing incidents that took place in the Stoke-on-Trent area.

On Monday, August 23, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, Fairclough was handed an eight-year prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including attempted robbery, attempted sexual assault, and causing another person to engage in sexual activity without consent. As part of his sentence, he was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, marking the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

The first incident involved a woman who cannot be named publicly due to legal restrictions. She was discovered by police on Bucknall Road shortly after 4 a.m. on Thursday, November 19, wearing only a coat. The circumstances of her attack remain under investigation, but her discovery was a critical moment in the case that led to Fairclough’s arrest.

Fairclough’s apprehension came shortly after the incident on Bucknall Road. Police detained him following a quick response to the scene, and he was taken into custody without incident. The details of his arrest and the evidence against him played a significant role in his decision to plead guilty to the charges.

Additionally, Fairclough was linked to an earlier attempted theft involving a 12-year-old girl. On October 7, approximately six weeks prior to the attack on the woman, the young girl was walking to school when Fairclough attempted to steal her mobile phone. The girl managed to run away from the scene, but Fairclough’s involvement was confirmed after he left behind his jacket and mobile phone at the location, which police recovered and used as evidence.

The case highlights the disturbing pattern of behavior exhibited by Fairclough and underscores the importance of swift police action and judicial proceedings in addressing such serious crimes. The community of Hanley and the surrounding areas remains vigilant, hoping that justice has been served and that measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future.