HOWARD CRELLIN OF EGMONT SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In July 2008, Howard Crellin, a 45-year-old man, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges of engaging in sexual activity with a minor girl. Crellin, who was previously residing on Kersey Road in Thornhill, Egremont—until a fire forced him into living in a caravan—was also banned from working with children or having unsupervised contact with minors. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender with police indefinitely.

As he was led away from the dock at Carlisle Crown Court, a relative of the girl shouted, "Rot in hell." The court was told that Crellin was arrested after a friend of the girl became suspicious upon discovering inappropriate text messages from him on her mobile phone.

Initially, Crellin denied any wrongdoing but was eventually compelled to confess after police presented him with his diary notes. He admitted to having sexual relations with the teenager but claimed it was because she was "desperate" to have a baby. He explained that he kept detailed notes in his diary so she could determine when any baby might be due.

Judge Barbara Forrester addressed him, stating, "It is difficult to believe, and impossible to understand, how a man could have behaved in such a way. I am not convinced you understand the gravity of what you have done as an adult man in a relationship with a girl." The judge emphasized that, although the girl did not become pregnant, it might take years before the full extent of the psychological damage caused by his actions becomes evident.