JOE CROSS FROM DESBOROUGH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING A GIRL WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES

In October 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Joe Cross, a resident of Desborough, who engaged in predatory behavior towards a young girl with learning difficulties. Cross, aged 24, used a fake Facebook profile to initiate contact with the girl, who was only 15 years old at the time. Despite not knowing her personally and not being a local, Cross managed to establish a connection through social media.

During their online exchanges, Cross falsely claimed to be 16 years old. In October 2017, he inquired about her relationship status, asking if she had a boyfriend and whether she would be interested in meeting up. The interactions quickly turned sexual in nature, with Cross requesting nude photographs and explicit videos from the girl. He also asked her to send a sex video, which she complied with, and subsequently sent him videos and images of himself performing sexual acts.

The girl, who has learning difficulties, asked Cross to delete the explicit images she had sent, but he refused and instead asked for more photographs. The situation escalated over a two-week period, during which Cross continued to solicit and receive sexually explicit material from her.

Authorities were alerted when the girl’s images and videos came to their attention. Police arrested Cross on October 11, seizing his phone and discovering the fake Facebook profile along with the images the girl had sent. A thorough search of his devices revealed a disturbing collection of indecent images, including over 150 indecent images of children, one of which involved a baby. The images were categorized as follows: 60 Category A images, which are considered the most depraved, one Category B video, and 105 Category C images. Additionally, internet search history showed Cross had repeatedly searched for material depicting the rape of young children.

During police interviews, Cross refused to comment and declined to provide the PIN codes to his devices. However, he later admitted to possessing three counts of indecent images and one charge of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The police investigation revealed that Cross had also searched for material involving the rape of children, indicating a disturbing pattern of online behavior.

Judge Rupert Mayo presided over the case at Northampton Crown Court. He acknowledged the severity of the offenses but also considered Cross’s vulnerabilities. The judge stated that if Cross had distributed the images, he would have faced immediate imprisonment. Recognizing the potential for rehabilitation and the defendant’s personal circumstances, Judge Mayo decided to suspend the sentence for two years.

Cross was sentenced to 16 months in prison for inciting sexual activity and an additional three months for the possession of indecent images, with the sentences to run consecutively. The total sentence of 19 months was suspended, meaning Cross would not serve time unless he reoffends within the suspension period. As part of his rehabilitation, he is required to participate in 40 days of court-ordered programs.

The court also ordered the destruction of all devices containing the images and videos. Furthermore, Cross will be subject to a 10-year registration on the sex offenders register and will be under a sexual harm prevention order for the same duration. This order imposes restrictions on his internet usage to prevent further offenses and protect potential victims.