PHILIP CROISDALE SENTENCED IN MIRFIELD FOR DECADES-OLD SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL

In a case that has spanned decades, retired builder Philip Croisdale, aged 78, from Water Royd Crescent in Mirfield, has been sentenced to three years in prison for historic sexual offences committed against a young girl during the 1970s. The conviction followed a trial at Leeds Crown Court, where a jury found Croisdale guilty of five counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Judge Neil Clark addressed the court, emphasizing that the offences took place during four separate incidents when Croisdale was entrusted with caring for the girl. The judge highlighted that these incidents occurred when Croisdale was in his 30s, a period when he was supposed to be a trusted adult figure.

Judge Clark remarked, “The fact she reported this matter to the police many years after they happened shows the ongoing effect and ongoing trauma this type of abuse causes.” He further explained that the impact of such offences extends beyond physical harm, often leaving long-lasting emotional and psychological scars on victims. The court was told that the girl was only 11 years old at the time of the first incident, which involved Croisdale persuading her to touch him sexually while he was fondling her breasts.

On a separate occasion, Croisdale attempted to touch the girl’s genital area, further compounding the severity of his actions. The judge acknowledged Croisdale’s health issues, including problems with his heart, circulation, and kidneys, but emphasized that these health concerns were to be weighed against the profound and lasting effects his offending had on the victim.

In addition to the prison sentence, Croisdale was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure intended to protect the community and monitor his activities moving forward. The case underscores the importance of addressing historic abuse cases, which often come to light many years after the offences occurred, and highlights the enduring impact such crimes have on victims and their families.