November 2001 Sex attacker locked up A SEX attacker who was branded “a danger to young girls” by a judge was jailed yesterday. John Huscroft, 49, of Frankland Road, Framlington Moor, County Durham, pleaded guilty to a series of sex attacks on youngsters dating back to 1980. He admitted five charges of indecent assault and one charge of gross indecency with a child, some of which were specimen charges. Judge Esmond Faulks said he should spend seven-and-a-half years behind bars with a further five-and-a-half years extended licence period. He will be on the sex offenders’ register for life. Judge Faulks said: “It is clear to me, having read the papers and the pre-sentence report, that you are a continuing danger to young girls and therefore a long prison sentence is inevitable.” Defence barrister Penny Moreland said Huscroft had started the process of acknowledging the effects his actions had on the girls and now admitted he needed help.