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

A predator who was drinking vodka with children at a bus shelter told one she’d have to perform sex acts on him in exchange for a ride home, a court heard.

A 15-year-old girl who was abused by a creep behind a bus shelter was told she’d have to perform sexual acts on him for a ride home, 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 pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse. Photo: File

The men were unknown to each other before the assaults.

The court heard Crook, who tested positive to cannabis and meth after the offending, began drinking vodka with the victim and her friend after meeting them.

“He, on the complainants version had suggested that the two girls go with him, that he was going to arrange for a trip home for them, and then in order to do that he’s asked the complainant to perform sexual acts upon him,” a prosecutor said.

The court heard the offending affected the victim, who had since undergone a gender transition, in his day to day life and social engagements.

Julia Davey, for Crook, 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.

“He’s very remorseful and very ashamed of his actions that night.”

Ms Davey said Cronin had a fairly good work history until his alcoholism took over but was now sober.

Brittany Armstrong, for Cronin, previously 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 was on the disability support pension after suffering head injuries from a motorbike accident in 1982.

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

The men will be sentenced next month.