A horrifying incident unfolded at Center Parcs in Sherwood Forest, Nottinghamshire, as Caden Crossley, 29, carried out a ‘cruel and cynical’ sex attack on an underage girl. Nottingham Crown Court heard how the teenager’s family had generously let Crossley stay in their lodge after he was ousted from his cabin following a dispute with his partner.
Crossley, who had previously established a rapport with the family, was allowed into their holiday accommodation without a second thought. In a grievous betrayal of trust, the young victim awoke in her bedroom to find Crossley lying in her bed. He proceeded to touch and rape her sexually, leaving her traumatised and violated.
An investigation was launched, and forensic evidence conclusively linked Crossley to the heinous assault on the teenager, referred to as Child E, to protect her identity as required by law.
Sentencing Crossley to 12 years in prison, Judge Michael Auty KC stated: ‘You were turfed out of your lodge and were effectively homeless, and Child E’s mother took you in out of the kindness of her heart. She did not have to, and I imagine she blames herself daily for making that kind of decision.’
The judge emphasized that Child E’s mother bears no responsibility for Crossley’s heinous actions, commending her kindness and virtue. He further condemned Crossley’s cruel and cynical breach of trust, highlighting the lasting impact on the victim’s life.
David Eager, prosecuting, recounted the horrifying events that transpired during the summer of 2022 at the Sherwood Forest retreat. Crossley had been invited to stay in the same lodge as the victim’s family, following his ejection from his own cabin due to a dispute with his partner. In the early hours, the victim awoke to find Crossley in her bed, where he sexually assaulted and raped her.
Crossley, previously residing in Leeds and currently detained at HMP Stocken near Oakham, pleaded guilty to the rape and sexual assault of a child. Last year, he was sentenced to five years in prison for firearms offences unrelated to the sexual assault.
Crossley’s prison sentence consists of eight years in custody and a four-year extended license for dangerousness. He will only be eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of the custodial portion, six years.
In addition to his prison term, Crossley has been placed on the sex offender register for life and issued a lifetime sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable Gemma Sidebottom of Nottinghamshire Police praised the victim’s courage throughout the process and hoped that the sentence would offer her some degree of closure
