A 31-year-old former steelworker from Grimsby has been sentenced to seven and a half years’ imprisonment at Grimsby Crown Court after being convicted by a jury of raping a young girl three times and indecently assaulting a second child between the ages of 12 and 16.
Craig Baker, of Dudley Street, Grimsby, appeared for sentence following a criminal trial into a series of historic sexual offences committed against two young girls.
The prosecution outlined that the offending commenced when Baker was aged just 12 or 13. The court heard that Baker engaged in predatory sexual behaviour, targeting two victims who were both aged under 13 at the time of the attacks. Baker subjected the first victim to a series of sexual violations, including three separate acts of rape and two counts of indecent assault. He additionally targeted a second young girl, subjecting her to an indecent assault before his conduct ceased at the age of 16.
Baker had previously received a police warning for unlawful sexual intercourse when he was 14 years old. Records presented to the court also showed prior convictions for wounding and a police caution for possessing Class A controlled drugs.
When interviewed regarding the allegations, Baker entered blanket denials and claimed that both female complainants were fabricating their accounts, failing to provide any rationale for why they would make false claims. The case proceeded to trial at Grimsby Crown Court, where both survivors were required to give evidence and recount their childhood abuse.
Following jury deliberations, Baker was acquitted of two counts, and four further counts were dismissed on the direction of the judge. However, jurors found him guilty of six serious offences:
Three counts of rape
Three counts of indecent assault
In personal impact statements read to the court, the primary survivor described the catastrophic, lifelong harm caused by the abuse, stating: “There are so many ways this has affected my life. My only childhood memories are negative ones. I still feel petrified. I will never get my childhood back. Inside, I still feel disgusted in every way. Currently, I quite often contemplate suicide. It’s hard not to think of those horrific memories… I struggle daily trusting anybody… I struggle to sleep a full night. This is never going to get better for me. I never asked for any of this.”
The second survivor shared the lasting psychological damage she endured, recounting how she struggled with severe confidence issues and historic self-harm, adding: “I was terrified to give evidence. However, since he was remanded in custody, I have never felt so free. Now, I can hopefully begin to piece my life back together.”
Passing sentence, Judge Mark Bury addressed Baker’s predatory conduct, stating: “You took advantage of her. She has nightmares on a regular basis and she has real suicidal tendencies. You knew what you were doing was wrong but you continued nevertheless despite your young age. You were only yourself a child when you began offending at the age of 12 and it came to an end when you were 16. They have suffered terribly as a result of your offending. It’s plain that the degree of harm that you have caused is significant.”
The judge sentenced Baker to an immediate custodial term of seven and a half years. Under standard statutory release provisions, Baker will be required to serve a mandatory term in custody before being eligible for consideration for release on licence by the Parole Board and the Probation Service.
The court further ordered that Baker be subject to mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the provisions of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanently barred him from regulated activity involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child victims and complainants connected to criminal proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Baker stood convicted of:
Three counts of rape
Three counts of indecent assault
Sentencing outcome and statutory measures:
Seven and a half years’ immediate custody
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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