Joshua Adcroft

Joshua Adcroft, 32, also known by the alias Joshua Everitt, received a 14-year prison sentence for the grooming and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in Lancashire. The offences, uncovered by Lancashire Police, revealed a pattern of predatory behaviour that also included breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order previously imposed on him.

The investigation began following reports of inappropriate contact between Adcroft and the young victim. Evidence presented in court included digital communications and witness statements that detailed how Adcroft groomed the child over time, leading to physical sexual assaults. Adcroft had been subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order due to prior convictions, but he deliberately violated its terms to carry out these new crimes.

At Preston Crown Court in July 2025, the judge described the case as particularly egregious, noting the vulnerability of the victim and Adcroft's calculated efforts to exploit her. Adcroft pleaded guilty to multiple counts of grooming, sexual assault, and breaching the order. Lancashire Police's dedicated safeguarding teams played a crucial role in bringing the case to justice, ensuring the perpetrator was held accountable.

This sentencing underscores the ongoing commitment of authorities in Lancashire to combat child sexual exploitation and to enforce protective measures against known sex offenders.