Two men are jailed for sexually exploiting women in Derby

Police believe there were at least 14 victims

Author: Lynsey BagnallPublished 21st Mar 2024

38 year old Leighton Murray and 26 year old Tyler Crossley have been jailed for a total of more than six years for exploiting vulnerable women in Derby. The pair would approach their victims on social media before getting them hooked on drugs and forcing them to pay their debts through sex work.

Profiles were set up for the women on adult sex websites and Murray would arrange appointments with so called clients.

Between them Crossley and Murray would pay for hotel rooms in the city where some of the women would be kept, given drugs and made to perform sexual acts they hadn’t agreed to.

The investigation started when officers searching for a vulnerable missing woman found her in a hotel room with Crossley back in January 2023.

Officers believe they exploited around 14 different women, but it is possible other victims have yet to be identified.

The pair both pleaded guilty to conspiring to control prostitution for gain.

Murray, formerly of St Clares Close in Derby, was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment and Crossley, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment.

Det. Sgt. Ross O’Brien of our criminal exploitation team said:

“This has been a long and complex investigation which has seen us successfully disrupt a sex work operation exploiting vulnerable women in the Derby area."

“The women were exploited time and time again, with Murray and Crosley were controlling these women for their own criminal gain. They went through horrendous, humiliating ordeals and I would praise them for their bravery and courage in supporting the investigation and throughout the court process.”

DS O’Brien added: “We are committed to tackling exploitation of all kinds and continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery in Derbyshire."

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