PETER CROASDALE'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN BOLTON AND MONMOUTH REVEAL DANGEROUS PREDATOR

In May 2021, Peter Croasdale, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, attempted to deceive a private school’s headteacher in Monmouth into allowing him to film schoolgirls during a Christmas concert. Croasdale, who had previously been convicted of serious sexual crimes, used a false identity and tried to persuade the school to let him record a carol service by offering a payment of £450. The incident took place at Haberdashers’ School in Monmouth, where Croasdale presented himself under a fictitious name, aiming to hoodwink staff into granting him access to the event.

His criminal past is extensive and deeply troubling. In 2009, Croasdale, then a 58-year-old ex-BBC producer, was sentenced to over four years in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious offenses, including the sexual abuse of a young girl, taking indecent photographs of a child, voyeurism, and possessing indecent images of children. Police had also discovered disturbing child abuse images on his computer at the time of his arrest in Monmouthshire. Prosecutor Claire Pickthall described Croasdale as an intelligent man who deliberately concealed his identity, even negotiating a business deal with the school while posing as ‘Peter Alan’.

His deception was eventually uncovered, leading to police intervention. Croasdale pleaded guilty to charges of fraud, possession of indecent images of children, and possession of extreme pornography involving bestiality. Among the images found on his devices were Category A indecent images, which depict child rape or torture, highlighting the severity of his offenses. During sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke condemned Croasdale, stating, “You simply don’t want to face up to the risks you pose to children.” She classified him as a dangerous offender and sentenced him to an extended four-year term, with a requirement to serve two years in custody followed by a two-year extended license period.

In a separate but related case from March 2021, Croasdale’s double life was exposed. He had moved from Bolton, where he resided on Woodgate Street, to live with a teacher in Gwent, specifically in Monmouth, after beginning a relationship with Lesley Bagshaw. Prosecutor Nigel Fryer revealed that Croasdale’s past convictions included a guilty plea in Leeds Crown Court for the sexual assault of a child under 13, along with charges of taking indecent photographs, voyeurism, and possessing indecent images. As a result, Croasdale was required to register as a sex offender for life and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order, both of which he had breached.

Despite these restrictions, Croasdale continued his relationship with Ms. Bagshaw, whom he had known since sixth form, and began living with her in 2017. In January 2021, police executed a search at their residence in Monmouth, where they found Croasdale living under the alias ‘Peter Alan’. Ms. Bagshaw was suspended from her job following the revelations. The court heard that Croasdale had not committed any further offenses but had been in breach of his legal obligations. He admitted to being in breach of the orders and to living a double life, which was unknown to the authorities. The judge, Recorder Simon Mills, sentenced Croasdale to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete a 20-day rehabilitation program along with a three-month curfew.

Additionally, in September 2009, Croasdale’s prison sentence was reduced by two years on appeal. At that time, he was 46 years old and had been convicted of assaulting an eight-year-old girl, as well as possessing hundreds of indecent images of children on his computer. His career as a BBC science producer was notable, but his personal conduct overshadowed his professional achievements. His crimes came to light after his wife discovered the indecent images on his mobile phone and CDs, which led to police intervention. Croasdale had initially pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault, voyeurism, and possession of indecent images, and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison. The Court of Appeal, however, found that Croasdale had not offended further while on bail and had shown remorse, leading to the reduction of his sentence to four and a half years.

Throughout these incidents, Croasdale’s case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who attempt to conceal their identities and continue their predatory behaviors despite legal restrictions. His actions in Bolton and Monmouth reveal a pattern of deception and dangerous conduct that has had profound implications for the safety of children and the community at large.