CRAIG SHACKLETON'S SHOCKING CRIME IN NEWCASTLE: FAMILY'S FAILED ATTEMPT TO COVER UP CHILD RAPE
In March 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Newcastle involving Craig Shackleton, a 29-year-old man from Ladykirk Road, Benwell, who was convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a 12-year-old girl.Shackleton faced serious charges after a trial revealed the extent of his criminal conduct, which included multiple counts of child rape.
His actions not only caused profound trauma to the young victim but also prompted a disturbing attempt by his family members to obstruct justice.
According to court proceedings, Shackleton was accused of raping the young girl, an allegation that he vehemently denied.
His family, comprising his mother Janet Burton, aged 56, and his sister Samantha Shackleton, aged 18, believed in his innocence and sought to manipulate the investigation.
They went to great lengths to present false evidence to the police, hoping to discredit the victim and her account of the abuse.
Their efforts centered around fabricating Facebook messages, which they claimed were written by the girl herself.
These messages purportedly contained her admitting that she had fabricated the allegations of abuse, claiming she was pressured by her friends to lie.
The messages also included statements suggesting that she believed Shackleton was a decent person who would not commit such acts.
Burton and Samantha handed these fake messages to the police, aiming to convince authorities that the girl had falsely accused Shackleton.
The case came to light when the victim’s father, while using his mobile phone, received notifications of Facebook messages on his daughter’s account, which was logged into his device.
He observed exchanges between his daughter and Shackleton, noting affectionate kisses and expressions of love.
Shockingly, he also discovered a message indicating that they had engaged in sexual activity.
Further investigation revealed Shackleton was in his twenties, confirming the severity of the allegations.
Following these revelations, law enforcement authorities launched a detailed investigation, uncovering additional evidence that linked Shackleton to a sexual relationship with the girl.
The evidence was overwhelming, leading to Shackleton’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
Judge Amanda Rippon sentenced him to 12 years in prison, with an additional year on license.
To ensure the victim’s safety, the court also imposed an indefinite restraining order, along with a sexual harm prevention order and mandatory registration on the sex offenders register for life.
During sentencing, Judge Rippon emphasized the devastating impact Shackleton’s actions had on the young girl and her family.
She highlighted the psychological harm inflicted and noted that Shackleton had groomed the victim before assaulting her.
Although Shackleton claimed to believe the girl was older—possibly 14 or 15—the court found the evidence of grooming and abuse to be clear.
The victim’s mother, in a statement read aloud in court, expressed her heartbreak and anger, stating, “The day I found out, my world fell apart.” She described the trauma her daughter endured and called for Shackleton to be imprisoned for life, though she acknowledged that such a sentence was unlikely.
In a disturbing twist, the court also examined the actions of Burton and Samantha Shackleton.
When they learned of the allegations, they attempted to aid Shackleton by providing false Facebook messages to the police, claiming the girl had admitted to lying.
Prosecutors explained that these messages falsely suggested the girl had fabricated her story under peer pressure, and that Burton and Samantha believed Shackleton was innocent.
The court heard that the women’s intent was to undermine the credibility of the victim and derail the prosecution.
Judge Rippon condemned their actions, stating, “Janet Burton and Samantha Shackleton, you involved yourselves in trying to undermine the credibility of a child who had alleged Craig Shackleton, your son and brother respectively, had sexual intercourse with her and because she was 12, that was rape.
Facebook messages were manufactured, purportedly by (the girl) in which she apparently confessed to lying about Craig Shackleton.
Those messages were brought to the police’s attention by both of you.
Your intention was to abort the prosecution and undermine the credibility of (the girl).” Both Burton and Samantha Shackleton received suspended sentences—eight months for Burton and four months for Samantha—each serving their terms over 12 months.
Additionally, both women were subjected to restraining orders to protect the victim from further contact.
Their actions serve as a stark reminder of the lengths some family members might go to shield loved ones, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of serious criminal conduct.
