KEITH CROOK FROM CHORLEY SENTENCED AFTER BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER IN CHORLEY

In a recent development at Preston Crown Court, Keith Crook, a man from Chorley, faced serious legal consequences after being found guilty of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and tampering with evidence related to his previous convictions. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about the monitoring and regulation of individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those involving minors.

Keith Crook, aged 48, appeared before the court on Friday, April 30, to be formally sentenced for his violations. His appearance followed a prior hearing in November 2020, where the court had deferred sentencing to allow Crook the opportunity to engage more fully with the Probation Service. The court proceedings revealed that Crook had previously been handed a suspended sentence in May 2019, which was meant to serve as a deterrent and a measure of supervision for his conduct.

Prosecutor Cecilia Pritchard provided detailed testimony about Crook’s breaches. She explained that the original order, which was imposed alongside a suspended sentence, was designed to prevent Crook from engaging in any form of sexual communication with minors. The order explicitly prohibited him from possessing devices capable of internet access unless explicitly authorized by law enforcement, and it required him to make any internet activity visible to authorities.

On July 31, 2019, Crook was summoned for a joint meeting with probation officers and police officers. During this meeting, he claimed to have only an Alcatel basic handset, which he insisted was not internet-enabled, and that he had disposed of his smartphone, a model from Alcatel, which he said he had thrown away. Crook stated that he no longer possessed any internet-capable devices, asserting that he had sold his smartphone to a second-hand shop three weeks prior. However, police investigations later revealed discrepancies; when officers visited the shop, they were told Crook had sold the device only five days before their visit, indicating he had lied about the sale.

The situation escalated on December 12, 2019, when police officers visited Crook’s residence. During this visit, officers observed Crook actively deleting Snapchat from a phone he possessed. This action was particularly concerning because Snapchat is known for its ephemeral messaging, which does not retain chat histories, making it difficult for authorities to monitor communications. Crook admitted that he had been warned three months earlier that using Snapchat was prohibited, as it does not retain its message history, yet he continued to use the app.

The court’s findings also referenced Crook’s prior conviction in May 2019, when he was caught communicating with a 12-year-old girl on Facebook. This communication was part of an operation by paedophile hunters, a group working under the name 'Stop,' which targets individuals attempting to engage in illegal activities with minors. Crook had arranged to meet the girl, but the incident was live-streamed by the hunters, who alerted police immediately. As a result, Crook was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 10 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement sessions. Additionally, he was fined £100 for breaching his suspended sentence.

In light of these breaches, the court decided to impose a suspended prison sentence, emphasizing the importance of strict supervision and compliance with court orders designed to protect minors from exploitation and harm. Crook’s case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement and judicial authorities in monitoring individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially in the digital age where technology can be used both for communication and concealment.