Inspector Richard Croft - facing child sex charges

15/03/07 - Cop facing child sex charges
John Troup
The Sun


Inspector Richard
Croft
A SENIOR police officer will appear in court today accused of sexually assaulting a child.

Inspector Richard Croft, 49, was arrested following an inquiry by his own force’s child abuse investigation unit.

The high-ranking cop, who is based at Basildon in Essex, has been charged with eight counts of sexually assaulting the child, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

The offences allegedly took place over a period of several years.

Croft appeared before Grays Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and was remanded in custody at high security Belmarsh prison in South London prior to today’s hearing at Basildon Crown Court.

He was arrested by officers from the Essex Police child abuse investigation unit based at Brentwood.

Croft, from Brentwood, was an inspector at Billericay police station from 2001 until 2005.

He gave evidence at a public inquiry into the controversial illegal traveller site at Crays Hill in Essex in January 2003.

The officer was also Essex Police’s spokesman on the killing of traveller Billy Williams at the site in October 2002.

He was transferred to Laindon police station in November 2005 after the roles of inspector at both Billericay and Wickford were merged.

But he returned to Basildon police station last year as a response team inspector.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Richard Croft was arrested on March 9 and has been charged with eight sex offences.”
Justice for Lee Balkwell Copyright 2006, All Rights Reserved.

He's also been involved with the Lee Balkwell case:

http://www.justiceforleebalkwell.com/pttbf.shtml

Inspector Richard Croft who changed his account at the scene and concealed the name of the Senior Investigating Officer

Never heard of him. Who is he?