STEPHEN CRAWFORD'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN WASHINGTON: SERIAL SEX OFFENDER RECEIVES SIXTH LIFE SENTENCE

In a chilling case that has spanned decades, Stephen Crawford, a notorious sex offender from Washington, has been handed his sixth life sentence following a series of heinous crimes against women and minors. The latest conviction pertains to a brutal rape of a 15-year-old girl that occurred in the 1980s, a crime that has once again brought Crawford’s dangerous nature into sharp focus.

On a recent day at Newcastle Crown Court, Crawford, now 52 years old, appeared before Judge Sean Morris, who did not hold back in condemning his actions. The judge described Crawford as a “highly dangerous individual” and emphasized the serious risk he poses to women. The court heard how Crawford had driven the teenage victim to a secluded industrial estate in Washington, where he verbally assaulted her, calling her names and threatening to “punch her face in” before subjecting her to a horrifying rape ordeal. The victim was left “utterly terrified,” and Crawford warned her that she would be killed if she disclosed what had happened.

Despite the gravity of the offense, Crawford denied the rape during the trial, a stance that forced the victim to relive her trauma by giving evidence against him. The court was told that Crawford, who was in his 20s at the time, had previously been involved in multiple sex offenses, including convictions for unlawful sex with underage girls and indecent assaults. The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of six years before he could apply for parole. However, Judge Morris made it clear that the Parole Board should “think long and hard” before considering any release, given Crawford’s high risk to women.

During the sentencing, the judge highlighted Crawford’s disturbing history, including his smirking reaction in court, which earned him the nickname “the smirking rapist.” The court recounted how Crawford had previously been acquitted of five separate rape charges in the 1980s and 1990s, managing to convince juries that the victims had consented. Nevertheless, he accumulated convictions for sexual offenses involving teenage victims and unlawful sex, including a conviction for attempting to rape a woman in the 1980s after offering her a lift home from a pub.

In the recent trial, Crawford’s behavior was equally unsettling. He responded to the judge’s remarks with a smirk, a reaction that has become characteristic of his demeanor in court. The court also heard that Crawford had served multiple sentences over the years, including a five-year term earlier this year for attempting to rape a woman he had offered a lift to in the 1980s. His defense attorney, Julie Clemitson, stated that Crawford’s release was unlikely until the Parole Board determined he was no longer a danger.

Adding to his disturbing profile, Crawford’s past convictions include a conviction for sex with a girl under 16, a 21-month jail term for unlawful sex with a 13-year-old, and a suspended sentence for attacking a 15-year-old girl in a vehicle in Gateshead in 1999. Despite these convictions, Crawford had repeatedly managed to evade long-term imprisonment for his crimes until recent years.

Judge Morris’s verdict underscores the ongoing threat Crawford poses. The judge expressed hope that the Parole Board would carefully consider whether he should ever be released, given the substantial risk he continues to represent. The court’s decision reflects a broader concern about the safety of women and girls in the community, especially considering Crawford’s history of predatory behavior and violent sexual offenses.

As Crawford remains behind bars, the case serves as a stark reminder of the persistent danger posed by repeat offenders like him, whose criminal activities have left a lasting scar on the victims and the community of Washington.