Bernard Alan Crathorne, the Kingsthorpe Paedophile, provided children with confectionery and currency despite a directive prohibiting him from engaging in any unsupervised interactions with minors.
A 90-year-old registered sex offender, Bernard Alan Crathorne, from Grosvenor Gardens, Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN2, has been incarcerated for violating a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Bernard Alan Crathorne, formerly of Grosvenor Gardens, Northampton, was required to adhere to several stringent conditions, including the prohibition of unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.
In August 2020, Bernard Alan Crathorne repeatedly approached several children, offering them confectionery and monetary incentives.
As a result of these breaches, Bernard Alan Crathorne was arrested and charged with four counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order, one count of sexual assault on a female under 13, and one count of causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
He was remanded into custody and pleaded guilty to the offences. He was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Friday (October 14) to four years and six months in prison.
Lead Investigator – Detective Constable Angie Torley, said: “Bernard Alan Crathorne is a dangerous and prolific sex offender and I am really pleased that we have managed to get him locked up and away from children.
“As part of his sentence, he was also given an extended licence of five years, meaning it won’t expire until just shy of his 100th birthday, thereby protecting children further.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the children in this case for their bravery in reporting this matter, alongside their families, and for their support throughout our investigation. Initially, Bernard Alan Crathorne decided to plead not guilty, meaning they had to be cross-examined in court, something no child should have to be asked to do.
“Their bravery in coming forward and providing evidence has meant that Bernard Alan Crathorne can no longer harm children in the community.
“Northamptonshire Police takes an absolute zero-tolerance approach to situations like this. If a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order is identified, there are no second chances and just like Bernard Alan Crathorne – offenders will be sent to prison.
“I hope this case demonstrates the force’s commitment to bringing sex offenders to justice and keeping the public of Northamptonshire safe,” DC Torley added.
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