MARK CRAMPTON JAILED IN GUILDFORD FOR TRYING TO MEET TEENAGE GIRL FOR SEX

In March 2021, Mark Crampton, a 57-year-old man from Richmond-upon-Thames, was sentenced to 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges related to attempting to engage in sexual acts with a minor.

Crampton was dubbed a 'dangerous sexual predator' by authorities following his arrest. He had been communicating with what he believed were two underage girls through Kik Messenger, with the intention of arranging sexual encounters.

The communication began on April 18, 2020, when Crampton sent a private message to an individual he thought was a 13-year-old girl. Over the following weeks, the messages became sexually explicit. These exchanges prompted his arrest on May 21, 2020, on the grounds of Guildford Cathedral, where he had traveled aiming to carry out sexual acts with the person he believed was a minor.

Surrey Police revealed that Crampton had traveled to Guildford Cathedral the day prior to his arrest to scout the location as a potential meeting point. During the investigation, it was confirmed that his intent was to engage in sexual activity with the underage individual.

He was apprehended by two Surrey Police officers on suspicion of arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. The court proceedings took place at Guildford Crown Court, with the judge imposing a 44-month prison sentence and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on Crampton during the hearing held on March 5.

The police emphasized the severity of the case, noting that Crampton had communicated with undercover officers between April 18 and May 21, 2020, under the belief that he was chatting with minors. Crampton had previously pleaded guilty to charges including attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming, and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.