March 2015
Man found guilty of FIVE child rapes against 5-year-old girl
A WIGAN child rapist has been told to expect to spend a long time behind bars after a jury convicted him of a series of vile sex crimes.
Father-of-three Karl Croston was found guilty of raping and sexually abusing a schoolgirl in the 1990s.
The 42-year-old, who was both a highways worker and DW Stadium steward, struck while his victim was asleep on a settee.
And he was also convicted of repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting a second girl during the 2000s which Liverpool Crown Court heard started when she was just five years old and continued until she was 13.
Croston, of City Road, Kitt Green, was unanimously found guilty of five rapes, five indecent assaults and one count of assault by penetration after a five-day trial.
The judge ordered the jury to find him not guilty of one further rape allegation.
Recorder Mr Simon Medland refused an application for bail and warned Croston he faces a lengthy spell in prison.
Croston was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on April 15.
The trial heard the offences came to light after Croston was confronted by his second victim outside his family home.
The victim, who is now an adult, later broke down and told her mother of her ordeal.
Croston had pleaded not guilty to all charges.
