Paedophile Craig Crowther jailed for sharing vile images and abusing child
‘Craggy2014’ caught by NCA
Craig Crowther, 31, was unmasked by National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators as the sick online predator known as ‘craggy2014’. The depraved paedophile openly discussed his twisted sexual interest in children with other offenders in chat rooms. In one chilling exchange in May 2020, Crowther admitted he “likes to get involved” with children and boasted he had access to a child he sexually abused.
Horrific evidence found
Crowther shared indecent images of a child across categories B and C and even sent pictures of children’s underwear to prove access to his victim. He bragged about taking a sexually explicit photo of a sleeping child he abused and spoke about plans to continue the abuse. Though he claimed to have deleted a sexually explicit video he recorded, officers found 56 indecent images on his phone, including 35 he took himself. Some images showed him sexually assaulting the child – likely the very video he tried to erase.
Jail and lifelong punishment
Arrested on 21 July 2020, Crowther shockingly told officers: “My life is over” and “I got no sexual gratification from it.” He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assaulting a child under 13, making and distributing indecent images. Today, Chester Crown Court sentenced him to four years and four months behind bars.
On release, Crowther will serve a four-year licence, face a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, and remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
NCA condemns Crowther’s crimes
“Craig Crowther’s crimes were despicable and our intervention helped safeguard children,” said NCA investigations manager Hazel Stewart.
“He was prepared to share explicit images of his victim to like-minded individuals online, bragging about his abuse to gain their respect. His actions were callous beyond belief and by his own admission, he knew exactly what he was doing. The NCA works to protect those affected by child sexual abuse and disrupt offenders who pose a sexual threat to children, ensuring they face justice.”
