DAVID CRANK, WILMSLOW SOCIAL WORKER, SENTENCED FOR INDECENT ASSAULTS

In May 2004, David Crank, a 50-year-old former senior manager at Tameside Council's Children and Families Services, was sentenced to jail after admitting to a series of indecent assaults against a schoolboy. Colleagues from Wilmslow, where Crank lived near Fulshaw Park on Oak Lea Avenue, said they had always suspected he had perverted tendencies.

Crank, who was married and reportedly lived with his mother, targeted the trusting young boy after casually asking if he knew about the facts of life. He once told the boy, "I might like to touch you—but I’d never hurt you."

The abuse took place during the 1980s. The victim, now 31, later reached out to police after discovering Crank had started a relationship with a woman who had a young son. The man described the experience as having "cheated him" out of a normal life.

It is alleged that about eight years prior, social services received a warning from child protection nurses regarding allegations against Crank but failed to take action. Staff were supposedly cautioned not to discuss the matter. While the charges did not relate directly to Crank’s professional conduct at Tameside Council, an internal inquiry was conducted, revealing no further concerns thus far.

At Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, Crank pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to two years in prison, prohibited from working with children indefinitely, and ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Judge Jonathan Geake sentenced Crank and commented, "Of all the people in the world who must appreciate the nature of the abuse of trust, it must be you. With your background, you have seen over and over again the sexual abuse of young people, and you know how damaging it can be. There is no doubt that your behavior has made your victim extremely confused and worried. It seems to me you have greatly spoiled his young life. The public and your victim would feel greatly let down if this court did not mark this behavior with punishment." Crank was dismissed from his employment in March after admitting the offences.

Prosecutor Miss Joanna Rodikis detailed that Crank first abused the boy when he was nine, telling him that boys could masturbate until involved in a loving relationship, even demonstrating this to him. The abuse recurred when the boy was eleven, and again at thirteen. During the third incident, Crank took the boy to the Glastonbury music festival and again engaged in inappropriate behavior involving masturbation. The fourth assault happened when the boy was 17.

When the victim turned 21, he confided in a girlfriend about the emotional damage caused by the abuse, noting difficulties in forming relationships, depression, and struggles with education. He revealed he had received counseling and medical treatment. Crank was arrested in November 2003 and admitted to the offenses.

Crank initially claimed he was offering sex education but later confessed he derived sexual gratification from his actions. Defence solicitor Mr. Ahmed Nadim argued that Crank had not engaged in prolonged misconduct, and an investigation found no evidence of sexual impropriety with other children. Nadim stated, "The defendant has fallen from grace, lost his place in society, and lost his senior position with social services. His domestic life remains devastated. He is going to have to start life afresh."

Tameside Council declined to comment on the case, and neighbours in Fulshaw Park also chose not to speak.