DARREN CROOK'S SHOCKING RETURN TO CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN THORNTON CLEVELEYS

In May 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Darren Crook, a man from Thornton Cleveleys, who was found to have relapsed into his previous harmful behaviors related to child exploitation. Crook, aged 47, had previously been subject to a sexual harm prevention order following his 2017 arrest, which was issued after authorities uncovered over 2,000 indecent images of children on his devices.

Despite the restrictions imposed by the order, law enforcement officers from Lancashire Police continued to monitor Crook’s activities. During a routine home visit on July 18, 2021, officers observed suspicious behavior from Crook, who admitted to deleting his internet search history. This prompted a thorough examination of his electronic devices, which revealed troubling evidence.

Investigators discovered search terms related to indecent images and found 18 images downloaded onto his devices. Among these, four were classified as 'extreme,' indicating acts depicted that could cause serious injury. Additionally, five images fell into Category A, representing the most severe type of child exploitation material, with three in Category B and six images of children in other prohibited categories. There was also a single prohibited image of a child, as detailed during the proceedings at Preston Crown Court.

Crook, who resides on Wilvere Drive in Thornton Cleveleys, pleaded guilty to four counts concerning the possession of indecent images and breaching his sexual harm prevention order. A pre-sentence report highlighted that Crook had previously cooperated well with conditions attached to a suspended sentence and had completed programs aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending. However, during a period marked by personal stress, he had relapsed into viewing such material.

Judge Darren Preston addressed Crook directly, stating, “You were frank with the author of the presentence report and recognize yourself that in order to justify obtaining these images you played down, or minimised, the damage that the creation of these images does to small children, usually life long damage. You accessed this material in 2021, having started in your isolation to view pornography, and searching for more and more extreme images. You deserve to go to custody immediately but you are not a stupid man.”

In light of these findings, the judge sentenced Crook to 12 months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered him to undertake 40 days of rehabilitation activities. He was also instructed to pay prosecution costs and a victim surcharge. The court issued a stern warning that any breach of the imposed conditions would result in immediate imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the potential consequences if he reoffends.