Charro Crook sexually assaulted 15-year-old behind Alberton bus shelter

A young girl who was being sexually abused by a predator behind a western suburbs bus shelter was then further assaulted by a 60-year-old man during the act, a court has heard.

A 15-year-old girl who was being sexually abused by a creep behind a bus shelter was then further assaulted by another man, a court heard.

Charro Crook, 50, preyed on the young girl in a vile act before John Raymond Cronin, 60, took advantage of the vulnerable position she was in.

During sentencing submissions, the District Court heard the 15-year-old victim – who told Crook her age – was sexually assaulted by him behind an Alberton bus shelter on November 27, 2020.

In her statement, the victim said “two thirds of the way through the guy (Crook) making me perform fellatio, a man (Cronin) came up behind me and touched my arse area”.

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

Charro Crook sexually assaulted the 15-year-old girl, while John Cronin touched her on the bottom. Photo: File

The court heard the men were unknown to each other before the assaults.

Rebecca Andersen, for the prosecution, told the court they weren’t opposed to a good behaviour bond for Cronin, as there was no evidence he was aware how old the victim was.

“But certainly she was in a vulnerable position when Mr Cronin has happened upon Mr Crook and the complainant behind the bus shelter,” she said.

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

“He’s walked around the bus shelter and touched the complainant on the bottom,” she said.

The court heard Cronin had previously volunteered at a gymnastics centre and was on the disability support pension after suffering head injuries from a motorbike accident in 1982.

Ms Armstong said it was a momentary lapse of judgment and his client deeply regretted his actions.

The court heard Cronin suffered from memory loss and didn’t have the greatest recollection of what he was doing or why he did it.

Ms Armstrong said Cronin couldn’t be sentenced for his assault having sexual connotations as he wasn’t aware the victim was performing fellatio on Crook at the time.

Judge Ian Press said he didn’t believe Cronin didn’t know what was going on when he assaulted the victim.

Ms Armstrong said while they accepted it seemed unlikely, it was very dark at the time and the victim hadn’t been facing Cronin.

Judge Press adjourned the charges until July so Ms Armstrong could obtain further instructions and for Crook’s counsel to obtain a psychological report.