In January 2022, the Offender Database reported that James Crossling, 36, of Hartlepool, County Durham, was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court for a life-threatening act of neglect involving a toddler. The court heard that Crossling’s decision to leave the child unsupervised led to a near-fatal drowning incident.
The incident occurred when Crossling left the youngster alone in a paddling pool to clean out rabbit hutches. During this time, the toddler slipped under the water and stopped breathing. Crossling was spotted in a panicked state in the street, prompting a neighbour to intervene. The neighbour performed emergency CPR on the child, who was then unresponsive. Thanks to these quick life-saving actions, the child was brought around before being rushed to the hospital and placed in intensive care. Medical staff confirmed that while the child required intensive treatment, they eventually made a full recovery.
Crossling pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to a person under 16. During the proceedings, the court noted the severity of the neglect, emphasising that but for the intervention of the neighbour, the outcome would likely have been a fatality. The prosecution stressed that the child’s age and vulnerability necessitated constant supervision, especially around water.
Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced James Crossling to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for a period of 18 months. In addition to the suspended sentence, Crossling was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and attend 30 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. The judge noted that the sentence served as a severe warning regarding the fundamental responsibilities of childcare.
The Judge ignored that James Crossling was previously imprisoned as a sex offender for a vicious assault on a vulnerable woman in her home in 2007. He also ignored Crossling’s previous animal abuse convictions.
James Crossling, a sex offender and child and Animal Abuser, is supported by like-minded family and friends.
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