DANGEROUS PEDOPHILE DAVID CROWTHER OF HUDDERSFIELD DIES IN LEEDS JAIL

David Crowther, a former teacher and convicted serial pedophile from Huddersfield, has tragically passed away while serving his sentence in prison. The 83-year-old died at HMP Leeds, located in Armley, on January 31 of this year. This information was confirmed through a record published by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman (PPO) on February 25.

At the time of his death, Crowther was just 16 days into a two-year and four-month incarceration period, having been sentenced earlier in January for three separate child sex offences. His conviction followed a trial at Leeds Crown Court held last September, where he was found guilty of inciting a child to commit an act of gross indecency and two counts of indecent assault against an 11-year-old boy. The crimes in question occurred over four decades ago, during which the victim felt unable to come forward and report the abuse at the time.

The victim, however, took action in 2021 after conducting an online search and discovering media reports about Crowther’s previous convictions for child sex offences. This prompted him to contact the police, leading to renewed investigations into Crowther’s past.

It was revealed that Crowther had a history of criminal behaviour, having been convicted of five separate historic indecent assaults on children during his tenure as a teacher in Leeds. The Leeds District Safeguarding Unit launched an investigation following the victim’s report in 2021. This investigation ultimately culminated in Crowther’s conviction in 2024 and his sentencing earlier this year.

Detective Sergeant Emma Maltas, representing Leeds District Safeguarding, commented on the case at the time of sentencing, emphasizing the profound impact of Crowther’s actions. She stated, “This was a terrifying ordeal for a young boy to endure at the time and was something that had a lasting traumatic impact on him that he has had to carry with him throughout his adult life.” Maltas expressed hope that the victim would find some closure knowing that Crowther had been held accountable for the harm inflicted upon him, both during the original abuse and in the subsequent years.

The PPO, an independent organization responsible for investigating deaths in custody and complaints from individuals under supervision, has not yet disclosed the cause of Crowther’s death. An ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding his passing is currently in progress.