News / Crime
Victims of sex abuser urged to come forward
Police in Bristol are calling for more victims of a man jailed this week for sexually abusing his partners’ young daughters to come forward.
Michael Cropton from Gloucester was jailed for 20 years at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.
His partner was also jailed for 32 months in connection with the investigation and will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register.
Cropton and the woman jointly admitted one count of conspiracy to sexually assault a child under the age of 13 and arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence. These charges relate to two girls.
Cropton also admitted four counts of rape in relation to a third victim, a boy. Cropton met the woman through an online dating site in 2013 and encouraged the woman to become involved in the sexual abuse of children.
Det Insp Gary Stephens, of the Public Protection Unit, said: “This has been a distressing and harrowing investigation involving the horrific sexual abuse of children.
“Michael Cropton is a devious and manipulative man who used classic grooming techniques to identify vulnerable children he could abuse.
“He admitted these offences due to the overwhelming evidence against him which resulted from the hard work of the investigation team.
“We believe there could be more victims out there and I hope the outcome of this case will encourage people to come forward and speak to us in confidence.
“I would also appeal to anyone who has been in a relationship with Michael Cropton to please get in touch with us.
“Cropton is now in the right place and the community is a much safer place without him in it.”
Victims of Cropton are urged to call police on 101.
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