Charro Crook jailed for sexually assaulting 15-year-old behind a bus shelter

A predator who was drinking vodka with children at a bus shelter before sexually abusing one was punched in the face by a bystander, a court heard.

Two man have been sentenced over a bizzare sexual attack on a teenager behind a bus stop.

Charro Crook, 50, approached the 15-year-old girl - who now identifies as a male - and his friend after they offered him vodka. He then abused the teen.

A second man John Raymond Cronin, 60, unknown to all parties, then also approached the scene and abused the teen.

A bystander punched Crook in the face before the two accused were arrested and charged.

During sentencing, the District Court heard Crook met the teen and his friend at a Semaphore Beach bus stop on November 27, 2020.

Crook approached them and they offered him vodka.

“After the bus trip the three of you left the bus and you indicated you could get someone to come and pick all of you up but that the complainant would need to do something of a sexual nature for you in return,” Judge Ian Press said.

Charro Crook was jailed for sexually abusing a 15-year-old child. Photo: File

The court heard Crook and the victim went behind the bus shelter where he sexually abused him.

Judge Press said the power imbalance between Crook and the victim was significant, with the victim having told Crook his age multiple times.

The court heard the second man, Cronin, then approached the bus stop and touched the victim on the buttocks momentarily when he had his back to him.

A bystander intervened after seeing the victim was clearly upset.

“The bystander punched you twice, Mr Crook, and you both then ran to a nearby service station, where you were both arrested a short time later,” Judge Press said.

Crook, of West Lakes Shore, pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse and Cronin, of Alberton, pleaded guilty to assault.

The men were unknown to each other before the assaults.

The court heard the victim now experiences ongoing anxiety around men, as well as suffering from feelings of emptiness and worthlessness.

Julia Davey, for Crook, previously told the court the “opportunistic” offending was out of character for her client and it was his first time in custody.

“There was quite a lot of alcohol consumed by Mr Crook that day and that has led to essentially him blacking out and not being able to recall the incident itself,” she said.

The court heard Crook had a fairly good work history until his alcoholism took over but was now sober.

Brittany Armstrong, for Cronin, previously told the court her client had been drinking on the day of the offending and left the house to get a slushy.

The court heard Cronin was on the disability support pension after suffering head injuries from a motorbike accident in 1982.

Ms Armstrong said Cronin suffered from memory loss and didn’t have the greatest recollection of why he did it but deeply regretted his actions.

Judge Press ordered Cronin to perform 110 hours of community service work within 12 months.

Crook was sentenced to five years jail, with a non-parole period of two years and 10 months.

The sentence was backdated to March 14, 2023.