CRAIG STOCKBRIDGE AND ALKRINGTON: LOST EVIDENCE LEAVES PAEDOPHILE AT LIBERTY FOR OVER TWO YEARS

In October 2011, it emerged that a paedophile had been able to continue his online activities for more than two years after crucial evidence was allegedly lost during police investigations.

Craig Richard Lee Stockbridge, aged 27 and residing on Davidson Drive in Alkrington, was initially arrested in July 2008 by Fife police after he engaged with two Scottish boys through a chat room on a website. He obtained their mobile numbers and repeatedly texted them, requesting indecent photographs. During this communication, Stockbridge sent images and video of a man performing sexual acts and explicitly asked the boys for sex. When one of the boys refused, Stockbridge threatened to reveal that he was gay.

Despite these actions, he was released without charge and proceeded to target five additional boys before being re-arrested and remanded in custody in February of the following year. Court allegations revealed that during the original investigation, mobile phones containing text messages between Stockbridge and his victims had been lost, which caused delays in progressing the case.

In 2009, Stockbridge impersonated a teenage boy in contact with his next victim, again requesting indecent photos and even offering to meet at a hotel for sex. By September 2010, he had assumed the identity of a girl called 'Jessica Davis,' persuading a teenage boy to strip down to his boxers on webcam. During this exchange, Stockbridge also sent nude and topless pictures of 'Jessica.' When the boy tried to end communication, Stockbridge threatened to film him and post the footage online.

Further complicating the case, there was detailed record of the text message exchanges presented in court. In the same month, Stockbridge contacted another young boy as 'Jessica,' asking for photographs and to speak with a male friend, which again escalated to threats.

He was re-arrested in November 2010 and released on bail. In January 2011, Stockbridge returned to a popular teenage chat site, mistakenly believing it was a 'safe place,' where he contacted yet another victim. He was arrested again in February 2011 and subsequently remanded in custody.

On September 26, he was sentenced to an indeterminate public protection order with a minimum term of at least five years after being convicted on multiple counts, including inciting children under 13 and over 13 to engage in sexual activity, possessing indecent images of children, and other related offences involving four additional victims.

Acting Chief Superintendent John Graves commented on the investigation, stating: “We have been made aware of comments made in open court about the loss of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. We are not aware of any mobile phone having been lost but as a matter of due diligence will be reviewing this incident to see if this is the case. As part of this process we will also be reviewing the investigation timeline to see what learning, if any, we can take from this. It is not unusual for these processes to take many months to complete and I must stress any potential loss of a phone would have in no way affected the outcome of Stockbridge’s sentence. I want to reassure all residents that tackling those involved in the sexual abuse of young children is an absolute priority for Rochdale and Greater Manchester Police.”

A spokesperson for Fife Constabulary added that this case was investigated by Greater Manchester Police, and all inquiries should be directed to them.