‘Predatory’ abuser jailed for sex attack on teenage girl horse rider near York
A man has been jailed for a ‘sickening’ sex attack on a teenage girl while she was riding her horse.
Nathan Thomas McCracken of Commercial Street, Norton, admitted the assault at York Crown Court today (Tuesday).
The court heart that McCracken was driving between Malton and York when he saw his victim riding her horse alone.
Having driven passed her, he went back, wound down his window and started to talk to her.
McCracken then got out of the car and sexually assaulted her. As he assaulted her, he kept repeatedly asking her not to report him to the police.
But she did make a report and thanks to her bravery and the accuracy of the information she was able to pass on to officers, McCracken was identified and arrested.
After his arrest, officers conducted a search of his home and found that McCracken had committed two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, put in place in relation to a previous offence.
Officers found an undisclosed laptop. They also found he had been using Snapchat under an online alias. Both actions were forbidden under the order.
McCracken pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and two breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.
He was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison with a two year extension.
Victim’s bravery praised
After the case, Detective Constable Philip Freebrey of Scarborough Criminal Investigation Department said: “McCracken acted in a predatory manner, driving passed the victim and assessing the fact that she was alone in a isolated location, before going back to assault her.
“His pleas to her to not report the incident shows he knew exactly what he was doing.
“He showed no remorse for the incident, pleading not guilty throughout the investigation until unquestionable forensic evidence came to light.
“He also showed an utter contempt for the sexual harm prevention order which was already in place, failing to adhere to the conditions and informing police of having a laptop and using an alias.
“I’d like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forward and making a report after a terrifying event.
“Thanks to her, McCracken is now behind bars. I also hope that this sentence gives some reassurance to other survivors of sexual assault to come forward and make a report.
“We take reports of this nature incredibly seriously and you will be believed and treated with respect. Please also be assured that we will take every possible step to ensure those who commit these sickening offences are brought to justice.”
If you have been a victim of sexual assault there is help available, Det Con Freebrey said. Find out more here.