DANIEL CROSS SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON IN PORTSMOUTH FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES
A brutal paedophile who raped a young girl and subjected her to multiple sexual assaults has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.Daniel Cross, 22, from Samuel Road, was convicted at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday for a series of serious offences against a girl under 13, including rape, attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault, inciting the girl to engage in sexual activity, and possession of three indecent category C images of her.
During the sentencing, the victim read a statement expressing the devastating impact of Cross’s actions, stating, "I find it really hard to trust anyone now.
It makes me wonder if people are telling the truth and mean what they say.
This has made making new friendships and relationships really hard.
I'm anxious around men now.
If I find myself alone with a man, I try to get out of the situation.
It makes me feel unsafe." Her mother described her ongoing distress, saying, "What he did haunts me to this day.
It has had a catastrophic effect on my health both physically and mentally.
I feel like it’s affecting every aspect of my life.
It has been truly devastating.
I was on a rollercoaster of emotions—shock, crippling inability to function, and helplessness.
I didn’t know how to be a mum anymore, which I always thought was natural." The mother also expressed her guilt over her perceived failure to protect her daughter, stating, "I knew I could never give her innocence back.
My baby girl had been broken and I didn’t know how to fix her.
I do not think I will ever be able to get over this.
I really need the closure of justice." Judge Timothy Mousley QC condemned Cross as a groomer who had shown limited insight into the severity of his offending, which caused lasting psychological harm.
He said, "You took gross advantage of her." Ultimately, Cross was sentenced to 11 years behind bars, of which he must serve at least two-thirds.
Additionally, he will be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will be required to regularly check in with police upon his release.
