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A man who breached a court order to groom a teenage girl has been jailed for 13 years – as his brave survivor speaks out.
Curtis Cruickshank, now 23, was handed a two-year Sexual Risk Order (SRO) in April 2021 which placed strict restrictions on him including permitting him from having any unsupervised contact with children and using the internet to contact children.
This was in response to a series of emerging and worrying behaviours exhibited by Cruickshank indicating he had a sexual interest in children.
However, in November 2022, he added the victim – a 15-year-old girl – on social media, pushing her to send illicit pictures and videos of herself to him.
Cruickshank’s offending soon intensified as he persuaded the girl to meet up with him in derelict spots of Newcastle City Centre where he pressured her to have sex with him and perform sexual acts on him in public.
The teen disclosed what had happened to a family member who later informed police – and an investigation was immediately launched.
In August 2024, Cruickshank – who was already in prison for breaching his SRO in an unrelated offence – was charged with 19 offences, including engaging in penetrative sexual activity with a child, meeting a child following grooming, and breaching a Sexual Risk Order (SRO).
In November, he stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to all 19 offences.
And today (Friday), he was back at the same court where a judge sentenced him to 13 years and six months’ imprisonment, with a further six years on extended licence once he is released.
The brave survivor shared these words to be read in court to show how Cruickshank’s offending has affected her.
She said: “I didn’t know what a proper relationship looked like, and Curtis made me feel like there was a future for us. I was an easy target.
“I thought because of him being older than me that he was more powerful than me and more likely to be believed. I don’t think I recognised the enormity of what happened to me as it was happening.
“I know now what happened was not my fault. I was 15 he preyed on my vulnerability.”
She continued: “One of my main motivators for going through the investigation was to prevent this happening to other people.
“Knowing he entered guilty pleas has been a massive weight off my shoulders. It has made me feel believed and that he has taken responsibility for his actions so I can stop blaming myself for what happened to me.
“Going forward I know I am not to be blamed for what has happened to me. I can focus on rebuilding my confidence and self-esteem, and plan for my future without having to worry about what he did.”
Cruickshank will spend the rest of his life on the Sex Offenders’ Register and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) to further monitor his behaviour once he is released from prison.
Leading this case for Northumbria Police was Detective Constable Claire Ashurst, of the Force’s Safeguarding Department.
Speaking after Cruickshank’s sentencing, she said: “Cruickshank is a repeat offender, who, over the years, has shown a constant and unwavering sexual interest in children.
“Even when a court order was imposed on him in a bid to curb his criminality, he has continually and brazenly ignored this in order to pursue having illicit contact with some of the most vulnerable in our society.
“Cruickshank knew his victim was underage and yet still he decided to pursue a sexual relationship with her – that is repulsive.”
Det Con Ashurst added: “The survivor has showed immense courage in coming forward to report the abuse he had put her through, and we hope that his conviction helps to provide a degree of closure, enabling her to move on with her life.
“We are grateful for her and her family’s continued co-operation throughout the investigation, which has helped to put a manipulative and predatory paedophile behind bars.
“If you’ve been a victim of sexual abuse, please know that we can help you; report to us today.”
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse of any form can contact police by sending a direct message on social media, or by using the ‘Report’ forms or live chat function on the Northumbria Police website.
For those unable to contact police in this way, please call 101.
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