GROOMER JAILED FOR 13 YEARS
A man who violated a court order aimed at protecting a teenage girl has been sentenced to 13 years in prison, as the courageous survivor of his abuse speaks publicly.Curtis Cruickshank, now aged 23, was issued a two-year Sexual Risk Order (SRO) in April 2021.
This order imposed strict limitations on his actions, including prohibiting any unsupervised contact with minors and restricting his use of the internet to communicate with children.
The restrictions were put in place following the detection of concerning behaviours that suggested Cruickshank harboured sexual interests in minors.
Despite these measures, in November 2022, he added the victim a 15-year-old girl on social media, pressuring her to send him inappropriate images and videos.
Cruickshank’s misconduct escalated as he convinced the girl to meet him in neglected areas within Newcastle City Centre, where he coerced her into engaging in sexual acts in public settings.
The girl confided in a family member about these encounters, who subsequently reported the matter to the police, prompting an investigation.
By August 2024, Cruickshank who was already imprisoned for breaching his SRO on unrelated charges faced 19 new charges, including sexual assault involving penetration of a minor, meeting a child following grooming, and breaching his Sexual Risk Order.
In November, he appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he admitted guilt to all 19 offences.
The court sentenced him to a prison term of 13 years and six months, with an additional six years on extended licence following his release.
The survivor, who demonstrated extraordinary bravery, delivered a statement in court to illustrate the profound impact Cruickshank’s actions had on her.
