APRIL 2001 Boys help to convict paedophile POLICE have praised the bravery of two Belvedere boys who’s evidence helped cage a paedophile for life. John Croad, 54, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for a string of sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault, on a number of boys aged between eight and 14. Croad was convicted after a 17-year-old from Belvedere reported an indecent assault on his nine-year-old brother. The older boy had also been abused by Croad. Police said Croad, unemployed, of Lowen Road, Rainham, Essex, befriended young people through an interest in motor bikes and then took them to his home where he encouraged them to take drugs and alcohol. He also took the youngsters on caravan holidays in Whitstable and Reculver, in Kent. DI Russ Pearson from the police Child Protection Team in Erith said the Essex man had previously served nine-years for sexual abuse but within weeks of being freed he was “actively grooming boys for abuse”. He went on to say the two boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, showed great bravery in coming forward and talking to the police. DI Pearson added: “We would ask any young people who have suffered at the hands of Croad, but have not come forward yet, to do so.”