MICHAEL CROSSLEY SENTENCED IN MERTHYR TYDFIL AFTER WALES FOOTCHASE
A man named Michael Crossley traveled from Greater Manchester to Wales with the intent of sexually abusing a young girl, but was intercepted by police officers prior to the meeting.Crossley, 34 years old, had spent months communicating with someone he believed to be the child's mother through online messages and phone calls.
He then made the journey from his residence on Bury New Road, Radcliffe, Bury, planning to carry out his disturbing intentions.
However, he was met by police officers at a designated meeting point in Cardiff, Wales, who had been monitoring his activities.
Initially, Crossley claimed during interviews that he was a paedophile hunter trying to expose a mother allegedly attempting to sell her daughter for sex.
Despite these claims, he failed to appear for his trial last year to present that version of events.
Instead, a jury convicted him in absentia of facilitating sexual activity with a child.
Crossley later appeared in Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court for sentencing on multiple charges.
These included facilitating sexual activity with a child and participating in a high-speed police chase in Bolton involving a stolen vehicle.
The chase occurred while he was supposed to be on trial in Wales.
In August 2019, the court heard, Crossley engaged on an adult sex website with a profile he believed belonged to a woman with a daughter.
He began messaging her and communicating via telephone, openly expressing interest in engaging in inappropriate acts involving her child, including requesting indecent photographs, discussing sexual acts—including full penetrative sex—and talking about money exchanging hands.
It was revealed that the profile was operated by an undercover police officer.
Crossley arranged to meet the woman and her daughter in Cardiff, traveling from Bolton to the location, where police officers were waiting for him.
Upon arrest, he was found to have condoms, sex toys, lubricant, and a doll intended for the child’s use.
In a subsequent interview, he claimed to be part of a paedophile hunter group and believed the woman was a fellow paedophile attempting to sell her daughter.
He maintained a not guilty plea, but after failing to appear at his trial last August, the court proceeded in his absence and found him guilty.
Meanwhile, he was involved in a dangerous police pursuit in Bolton, reaching speeds of 110mph through residential streets in a stolen Audi.
He ran red lights, took bends at high speeds on the wrong side of the road, and eventually abandoned the vehicle before fleeing on foot.
A police helicopter and police dog eventually found him hiding.
During his arrest, cannabis was also found in his possession.
It was established that the stolen Audi had been taken during a robbery and was displaying stolen license plates from another vehicle undergoing servicing.
Crossley has prior convictions, including six offences such as producing cannabis, aiding an offender, and unlawful vehicle possession.
His lawyer, Isobel Thomas, stated that Crossley still denied the sexual offence charges but acknowledged that he faced a lengthy custodial sentence.
She also explained that he was experiencing personal difficulties in 2019, including the closure of his business and the end of a 16-year relationship, leading to substance abuse and worsening mental health.
Recorder Lucy Crowther emphasized that the jury had rejected Crossley's claims of being a paedophile hunter.
She described his dangerous driving as 'appalling' and noted it was remarkable that no one was injured or killed.
Crossley was sentenced to a total of 54 months in prison: 42 months for the sexual offence, 10 months for dangerous driving, and two months for failing to surrender to court, all consecutive.
Additional sentences included six months for aggravated vehicle-taking and one month for cannabis possession, running concurrently with the total.
No separate penalty was assigned for driving without insurance.
Due to the seriousness of the sex offence, Crossley is eligible to apply for early release after serving half his sentence, but the Parole Board will decide if and when he is released.
Post-release conditions include a one-year extended licence, lifetime registration as a sex offender, and an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.
He is also disqualified from driving until he passes an extended driving test.
