In 2015, the Offender Database reported that Justin Crick, then 20, of Mount Wise, Newquay, Cornwall, was sentenced to 4 years’ custody. On Thursday, 26 February 2015, Crick appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing after a jury convicted him of a “despicable” rape involving a woman who had trusted him for accommodation.
The investigation established that the assault occurred in spring 2013 after the victim agreed to stay at Crick’s home when her original plans fell through. The prosecution reported that Crick ignored the victim’s repeated pleas to stop, using his physical strength to overpower her. In the hours following the attack, Crick sent a series of text messages to the woman, apologising for the act, asking if she was pregnant, and begging her not to involve the police. Despite the “overwhelming” evidence—including the woman’s DNA found on his person and the recovered text logs—Crick maintained a “ludicrous” defence, claiming he was not responsible for the messages.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC emphasised that Crick had forced himself upon the victim against her will in a manner that was “truly despicable.” The court reported that while the defence pointed to Crick’s previously good character and positive references from friends and family, these factors did not mitigate the gravity of the sexual violence. The prosecution emphasised that Crick had even attempted to delete the incriminating messages from his own phone, though they were successfully recovered from the victim’s device.
The judge emphasised that Crick had yielded to “temptation” and ignored the victim’s clear resistance. The prosecution emphasised that the survivor’s bravery in confiding in an acquaintance and supporting the police investigation was vital to securing the conviction. For his crimes in Cornwall, the court determined that a significant period of detention was required to reflect the “vicious” nature of the assault and the breach of trust involved in targeting a guest in his home.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Justin Crick was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Four years in custody.
- Young Offender Institution: To serve his initial term at a YOI before being transferred to an adult prison upon turning 21.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Conviction: Found guilty of one count of rape.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Crick is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Devon & Cornwall Police and the prison estate. Due to the nature of the rape conviction and his attempts to manipulate the victim via digital communication, his status is under high-level scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Crick must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his residence in Newquay. Authorities state that his registration is a critical tool for monitoring his future conduct and ensuring he is restricted from the behaviours that led to his “despicable” offence. Any breach of his registration conditions or his licence terms upon release will result in his immediate arrest and return to Truro Crown Court.
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