FRANK CRAMPSEY FROM BLACKBURN JAILED FOR BREACHING SEX OFFENDER ORDERS AND ENTERING MOSQUE WITH CHILDREN
In September 2017, Frank Crampsey, a convicted sex offender with a troubling history, was sentenced to prison after a series of violations of court orders and deceptive conduct.Crampsey, who resided in Earby before relocating to Blackburn, had previously served time for sex offenses against young boys and was subject to a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order (SOPO) issued in 2006, which prohibited him from having contact with children under 16 and from entering educational establishments.
Despite these restrictions, Crampsey changed his name from Frank to Mohammed, a move believed to be an attempt to conceal his identity.
He then began frequenting a mosque in Blackburn, specifically the Darussalam Education Centre, which includes a madrassa where children are taught about Islam.
His attendance was initially seen as voluntary participation, as he had been volunteering at a family fun day celebrating Eid in July, where he was actively involved in handing out leaflets and collecting litter at Corporation Park’s Eid in the Park event.
Crampsey’s conduct at the mosque raised alarm among members, especially after it was revealed that he had been welcomed and even received a £50 prize for his volunteer work.
The mosque’s community, including a member named Ashbad Ahmed, had taken Crampsey under their wing, unaware of his criminal past or the court restrictions that barred him from contact with children or entering educational facilities.
When Ahmed later learned of Crampsey’s history as a convicted paedophile and his previous breaches of court orders, he was reportedly shaken and taken aback, as detailed in court proceedings.
Further investigation uncovered that Crampsey had not disclosed his past or the court-imposed bans when he approached the mosque.
His claims of hardship and loneliness, along with his request for assistance in securing housing—funded by the mosque—were part of his efforts to integrate into the community.
However, his true background and the restrictions placed upon him were concealed from the mosque members.
On July 31 of that year, police officers conducting routine monitoring visited Crampsey’s residence.
During the visit, he admitted to spending time at the mosque, which was concerning given his known history.
Officers spoke with Ahmed, who stated he was unaware of any contact Crampsey had with children at the mosque but acknowledged that Crampsey had not been under constant supervision.
Prosecutor Francis McEntee highlighted that this was the fifth breach of Crampsey’s SOPO, which had been initially established in 2006 following convictions dating back to 2001.
The court was informed that in the previous year, Crampsey had been sentenced for breaching the order by visiting a woman with children aged 13 and nine, along with the children’s grandfather.
These visits were in direct violation of the restrictions imposed on him.
Crampsey’s defense, represented by Mark Stewart, argued that the mosque was aware of his previous name, Frank, but he had requested to be called Mohammed to avoid the stigma associated with his past.
Despite his pleas, the court found that Crampsey had knowingly breached the terms of his order.
Judge Simon Newell sentenced Crampsey to five months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his repeated violations.
He stated, “For more than 10 years now you know you have been subject to this order.
You know the terms of the order you are subject to and you know the reasons why.” The judge’s comments underscored the importance of compliance and the risks posed by individuals with such histories attempting to reintegrate into community settings without proper oversight.
Additionally, the case recalled a prior incident from May 2016, when Crampsey, then 59, was jailed for breaches related to his sexual offenses.
At that time, he was found to have visited a family in Blackpool with young children, despite the restrictions.
He had previously been convicted in 2001 for indecent assaults and had been ordered in 2006 to avoid contact with minors.
His repeated breaches, including visiting children and their families, demonstrated a pattern of disregard for court orders and community safety.
In the latest incident, authorities confirmed that Crampsey’s actions posed a significant risk, especially given his history and the fact that he had concealed his identity and past from community members.
His case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and strict enforcement of court orders designed to protect vulnerable populations from known offenders.
