Robert Cross Jailed for Repeated Sexual Assault of Teenage Boy

Robert Cross, a known sex offender from Wakefield, has been jailed for nine years after being found guilty of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

Cross, who is already on the sex offenders register for previous child sex offences, denied the charges but was convicted by a jury at Leeds Crown Court. The abuse took place between 2008 and 2011 when Cross was around 19 years old and the victim was approximately 13.

The male victim came forward in 2021 to report the abuse, leading to Cross's arrest later that year. He had previously confessed to the boy, who was underage, about being bisexual and asked him if he could touch him. Cross also forced the boy to touch him.

Judge Howard Crowson sentenced Cross to nine years in prison, stating that the victim was too young to consent to any sexual relationship. Cross must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being considered for release. He was also placed on the sex offender register for life and issued with a lifelong sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Detective Sergeant Will Denton, who led the investigation, praised the victim's bravery in coming forward and emphasized that this behavior will not be tolerated. He urged anyone who has suffered similar abuse to report it to the authorities.