Peter Croasdale, aged 58, of Woodgate Street, Bolton, Greater Manchester, was handed an extended sentence of four years at Cardiff Crown Court after attempting to con a private school into allowing him to film schoolgirls at a Christmas concert.
The criminal investigation was launched after staff at Haberdashers’ school in Monmouth grew suspicious during commercial discussions and contacted Gwent Police.
The court heard that Croasdale, a former BBC Radio 4 producer, used the alias ‘Peter Alan’ to approach the headteacher and offer to film the school’s Christmas carol service for a fee of £450.
Prosecutor Claire Pickthall told the court that Croasdale deliberately hid his identity to hoodwink school leadership.
Croasdale had previously been sentenced to more than four years’ imprisonment in 2009 for sexually abusing a young girl, taking an indecent photograph of a child, voyeurism, and possessing indecent photographs of children.
Following his arrest in Monmouthshire, officers seized Croasdale’s computer equipment, discovering Category A indecent images of children alongside extreme pornography involving bestiality.
Appearing before Cardiff Crown Court, Croasdale pleaded guilty to:
- One count of fraud
- Counts relating to possessing indecent images of children
- One count of possessing extreme pornography involving bestiality
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke ruled that Croasdale met the criteria for a dangerous offender, stating that he refused to face up to the risks he posed to children.
The judge imposed an extended sentence of four years, comprising a custodial term of two years (24 months) and an extended licence period of two years (24 months).
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing extended determinate sentences, Croasdale was required to serve two years’ imprisonment in custody, followed by an extended licence period of two years upon release, during which he remained subject to strict licence conditions and probation supervision in the community.
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