GARY CROOK FROM ACCRINGTON AND BACUP CAUGHT WITH CHILD IN HOME AND SEXUALLY ABUSING TEENAGER
| Red Rose Database
Accrington Bacup Child Sexual Abuser
In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the communities of Accrington and Bacup, Gary Crook has been involved in multiple serious criminal offenses related to child abuse and sexual misconduct. The incidents, spanning over several years, highlight the ongoing issues of safeguarding and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable individuals.
In December 2016, Crook, aged 25, was convicted after being found in a highly compromising situation involving a young child. The court was informed that Crook was caught with a baby in his home, an incident that left him visibly distressed and 'literally shaking' as he faced the consequences. The case was heard at Burnley Crown Court, where it was revealed that Crook had only spent brief periods in the company of the mother and her infant. The mother, who had known Crook for many years, later expressed her disappointment and revealed that she would never have allowed him into her home had she been aware of his criminal history.
Previously, Crook had been sentenced in the summer of 2015 to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a minor. As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with anyone under the age of 16 for a decade. The court heard that during police checks on October 28, officers overheard a child crying in the background during a telephone conversation with Crook. Initially, Crook claimed the child was just passing by outside his residence, but he later admitted that the child had been present in his home. The infant belonged to a friend of Crook’s, someone he had known for approximately 18 years, yet he had failed to disclose his past sexual offenses to her.
Further investigation uncovered that Crook had visited her home on two separate occasions while her baby daughter was asleep upstairs. The court was told that Crook, who was then residing on Blackburn Road, Accrington, had previously lived on Tong Lane, Bacup. Prior to the hearing, Crook was described as being extremely anxious, visibly trembling as he awaited his sentencing. Since his arrest, he had been held on remand, serving the equivalent of three months in custody, after bail was denied.
Judge Jonathon Gibson emphasized the importance of adhering to court orders and the need for Crook to understand the gravity of his actions. Crook was sentenced to an additional 12 weeks in prison, a sentence that would allow for his immediate release. He was also subjected to a four-week curfew and will remain under probation supervision, underscoring the ongoing monitoring of his behavior.
In a separate incident from July 2015, Crook, then 24 and living on Highfield Court in Haslingden, was involved in a disturbing case involving a teenage girl he met through social media. The court heard that Crook exchanged numerous text messages with the girl over several months, which eventually led to a sexual encounter. Despite the girl later ending the relationship, Crook continued to contact her, even threatening self-harm if she did not resume communication. He pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a minor and was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, with supervision and additional requirements including mental health treatment and police notification for ten years.
The prosecution revealed that Crook initially believed the girl was 18 and in college, but later received messages indicating she was under the age of consent. Crook denied having sex with her and claimed that incriminating messages were sent by someone else. The victim’s statement described how she has suffered from low self-esteem since the incident, and her mother described the ordeal as a 'living nightmare,' emphasizing the traumatic impact of Crook’s actions. The court’s findings paint a troubling picture of a man who has repeatedly crossed boundaries, causing significant harm to vulnerable individuals in the communities of Bacup and Accrington.
In December 2016, Crook, aged 25, was convicted after being found in a highly compromising situation involving a young child. The court was informed that Crook was caught with a baby in his home, an incident that left him visibly distressed and 'literally shaking' as he faced the consequences. The case was heard at Burnley Crown Court, where it was revealed that Crook had only spent brief periods in the company of the mother and her infant. The mother, who had known Crook for many years, later expressed her disappointment and revealed that she would never have allowed him into her home had she been aware of his criminal history.
Previously, Crook had been sentenced in the summer of 2015 to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, after admitting to engaging in sexual activity with a minor. As part of his sentence, he was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his contact with anyone under the age of 16 for a decade. The court heard that during police checks on October 28, officers overheard a child crying in the background during a telephone conversation with Crook. Initially, Crook claimed the child was just passing by outside his residence, but he later admitted that the child had been present in his home. The infant belonged to a friend of Crook’s, someone he had known for approximately 18 years, yet he had failed to disclose his past sexual offenses to her.
Further investigation uncovered that Crook had visited her home on two separate occasions while her baby daughter was asleep upstairs. The court was told that Crook, who was then residing on Blackburn Road, Accrington, had previously lived on Tong Lane, Bacup. Prior to the hearing, Crook was described as being extremely anxious, visibly trembling as he awaited his sentencing. Since his arrest, he had been held on remand, serving the equivalent of three months in custody, after bail was denied.
Judge Jonathon Gibson emphasized the importance of adhering to court orders and the need for Crook to understand the gravity of his actions. Crook was sentenced to an additional 12 weeks in prison, a sentence that would allow for his immediate release. He was also subjected to a four-week curfew and will remain under probation supervision, underscoring the ongoing monitoring of his behavior.
In a separate incident from July 2015, Crook, then 24 and living on Highfield Court in Haslingden, was involved in a disturbing case involving a teenage girl he met through social media. The court heard that Crook exchanged numerous text messages with the girl over several months, which eventually led to a sexual encounter. Despite the girl later ending the relationship, Crook continued to contact her, even threatening self-harm if she did not resume communication. He pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a minor and was sentenced to a 12-month prison term, suspended for two years, with supervision and additional requirements including mental health treatment and police notification for ten years.
The prosecution revealed that Crook initially believed the girl was 18 and in college, but later received messages indicating she was under the age of consent. Crook denied having sex with her and claimed that incriminating messages were sent by someone else. The victim’s statement described how she has suffered from low self-esteem since the incident, and her mother described the ordeal as a 'living nightmare,' emphasizing the traumatic impact of Crook’s actions. The court’s findings paint a troubling picture of a man who has repeatedly crossed boundaries, causing significant harm to vulnerable individuals in the communities of Bacup and Accrington.