Essex paedophile who tried to flee country jailed
One officer described the crimes of David Crookes as some of the most graphic they had seen
The Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT), who investigate offences involving child sexual abuse material in Essex, has secured a 13-year jail sentence against a Canvey paedophile.
Essex Police received intelligence that 66-year-old, David Crookes, had been commissioning the sexual abuse of children since the 2010s.
In 2022 whilst trying to leave the country he was stopped and arrested by Dyfed-Powys Police where his devices were seized upon his arrest.
The force analysed the content of these devices which showed an extensive log of messages and payments relating to the offending, and more than 580 images and videos of extreme pornography and child sexual abuse were located.
One officer described the crimes of Crookes as some of the most graphic they had seen in their service on POLIT.
Crookes, of Link Road, in Canvey, was charged with:
• Two counts of making indecent images of children
• Two counts of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence
• Making indecent images of a child
• Attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence
• Possessing an extreme pornographic image
• Distributing indecent images of a child
• Causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child
• Causing a child to watch a sexual act
• Causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage with sexual activity
He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to 13 years and nine months at Basildon Crown Court on Monday (1st September). He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and following his sentence he will spend another five years on extended licence.
Speaking after the hearing Detective Jack Morgan, officer in the case who initially began investigating Crookes as a part of POLIT at the time, said:
“This type of offending is far from a victimless crime, safeguarding children is at the core of what POLIT strives to achieve.
"The victims in this case endured some of the most prolonged abuse and grooming I have encountered as a police officer. Seeing Crookes jailed is crucial to not only keep them safe but also others.
“The emotional toll on officers exposed to this material cannot be overstated. While the work is challenging, it’s essential to both protect victims and disrupt the demand for this exploitative content ensuring those involved face justice too.”