Southport Man Sentenced to 15 Years for String of Child Sexual Offences
A Southport man has been jailed for 15 years and must sign the Sex Offender Register for life after raping a child and committing a series of sex offences against four other children.
Callum Crofts, 22, of King Street, Southport, was found guilty of the rape of a child under 16 last February after a two-week trial in November 2024. He then pleaded guilty in March 2025 to 11 more offences against children.
Crofts was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, on Monday 30 June, to a total of 15 years in prison for the following sexual offences, which took place from February 2023 to March 2024 against five victims:
- Rape of a child under 16
- Seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child
- Three counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child
- One count of cause/incite a child to engage in sexual activity
- One count of send a photograph of genitals to cause alarm/distress or humiliation
- Three counts of Make indecent photographs of a child (Cat A,B,C)
Detective Constable Lindsey Harris said: “I would like to acknowledge the strength shown by the victims throughout these complex investigations. Crofts subjected his first victim to a two-week trial during which she had to relive the horrendous actions he subjected her to.
“Crofts showed no regard for the long-lasting emotional impact his vile actions will undoubtedly have on all his victims, acting only to satisfy his own depravity.
“I hope this sentencing shows that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and we will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.
“Crofts was found guilty by a unanimous verdict of this heinous crime. He will now spend a significant time in prison.
“Anyone that has been a victim of a sexual offence, is concerned for the safety of someone they know or suspects someone to be engaging in this criminal activity, should come forward and speak to us.
“We have a team of dedicated staff who will expertly and compassionately deal with your reports and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“While no sentence will repair the trauma which was inflicted on his victims, I hope this sentencing will not only provide them with justice, but also encourage other victims to come forward and have the confidence in us as a police force to take reports seriously and ultimately ensure offenders are put before the courts.”
In September 2024, we launched our Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) campaign to put the voices of women and girls at the heart of our work to tackle VAWG. See here for more information:www.merseyside.police.uk/vawg
Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers, or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist support services.
These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it.
If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation and court processes.
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police.
With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report later, if you choose to.
Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you do not require immediate police assistance, then you can report rape and sexual assault via our website here:
www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside
Alternatively, you can report a sexual offence by calling 101 or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.