MICHAEL CROSBY SENTENCED IN SHEFFIELD FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In January 2006, Michael Crosby, a 43-year-old man from Sheffield, was convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young boys. Crosby lured vulnerable children to his home on City Road, described by Sheffield Crown Court as resembling an Aladdin's Cave, Santa’s Grotto, and Old Curiosity Shop, filled with toys, sweets, and numerous posters of naked men. Prosecutor Philip Bingham detailed that Crosby groomed the boys for sex, with some parts of his flat decorated like children’s rooms, but with disturbing imagery including child abuse pictures and pornographic films.

One victim was an illiterate boy of about seven or eight with severe emotional problems, who was sexually assaulted while staying overnight at Crosby’s flat. The second victim, a 14-year-old boy with ADHD, was raped by Crosby at least five times over a period of seven months. Crosby’s arrest followed a police raid conducted by a specialized team from the Public Protection Unit.

Crosby pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and one of indecent assault. His criminal history includes an 18-month sentence in 1984 for five counts of buggery and one of indecent assault, and a 15-month sentence in 1993 for three counts of indecent assault against a minor.

During sentencing, Crosby’s barrister, Alan Newman QC, requested a reduced sentence due to Crosby’s claustrophobia and difficulty with confined spaces. However, Judge Simon Lawler QC rejected this plea, commenting, “Your flat was a magnet in this deprived area. This is designed to punish you and reflects society’s abhorrence about your behaviour.” Crosby was sentenced to eight years in prison, with an additional four years of supervision thereafter.