Troy Robert William Cridland: Ex-NSW Richmond Police District officer jailed for 15 years for sexual abuse of underage girl

A disgraced northern NSW senior constable jailed for having sex with an underage girl in a tent in a station garage and in a police car cried so loudly over video in court the sound had to be shut off.

Disgraced Richmond Police District ex-Senior Constable Troy Cridland. Picture: Marc Stapelberg/The Northern Star/File

A disgraced northern NSW senior constable was sacked and has been jailed for 15 years after having sex with an underage girl in a police car and in a tent inside a station garage.

Troy Robert William Cridland, 33, cried so loudly on video that a court had to mute him.

The ex-cop who was once awarded for his work faces a non-parole period of nine years and nine months.

The number of “sexual encounters” – incidences of rape by Cridland due to the teen’s inability to legally consent – occurred between March-August 2020.

Then-Superintendent Toby Lindsay (LEFT) at a Richmond Police District awards ceremony at Ballina RSL with then-senior constable and now disgraced sex offender – Troy Cridland (RIGHT). Picture: Marc Stapelberg/The Northern Star/File

Cridland, 33, was found guilty during a District Court trial at Lismore in mid-2023 of having sexual intercourse with a minor, perverting the course of justice and using the girl to produce child abuse material.

Cridland was found not guilty of three charges of sexual intercourse and Judge Jennifer English directed the jury to find him not guilty on a fourth count because there was not enough evidence.

During the trial, it emerged Cridland had a de facto partner at the time of offending in a town west of Lismore – while he was a member of NSW Police’s Richmond Police District.

Cridland said he met the girl on Tinder and she lied about being older than 16 – which a jury determined to be false.

The jury was told Cridland engaged in “calculated deceit” and created fake evidence of a conversation between himself and the teen on the 18-plus dating app to cover his tracks.

Cridland knew she was underage and the Crown said he met the girl in his capacity as an officer when she was just 14.

Troy Robert William Cridland dodges a photo outside court during the trial. Picture: Gianni Francis/The Northern Star

Judge English said the offending was “a complete abuse of trust” after Cridland had a meeting with the girl in her home.

The girl saw Cridland for “counselling”, but he raped her in a tent set up at the station and in the car.

Cridland sent and solicited “nudes” of the girl through Snapchat, the court heard.

He also told the girl and her mum to mislead investigators.

Ms English said she could not find a reason not to accept the victim’s evidence.

“I find the acts of the offender to be predatory,” she said.

“He exploited a vulnerable young victim and manipulated her mother to the extent her mother would drop her off to meet with the offender for counselling issues for bullying.

“It involves deceit on his part, and he was taking advantage of a vulnerable young girl with significant mental health issues arising from bullying while at school.”

The court heard Cridland was raised in an abusive home with police involvement and was bullied at school for being overweight.

He worked at Coles, KFC and was a member of the Rural Fire Service previously.

Cridland has a history of failed relationships and it was alleged during sentencing he was a past victim of domestic violence.

Then-Senior Constable Troy Cridland at work.

A psychologist said in a report Cridland suffered post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of his work. He was also facing stress at home, including around fatherhood, the court heard.

Cridland “downplayed” his crimes ahead of sentencing, it was determined in a report.

The sacked cop had a “self-focused” attitude and said the victim must feel “embarrassed and ashamed” because the story is “all over the media” – failing to appreciate his role, and the imbalance of power he had.

Cridland has been allowed to undertake university studies while behind bars.

“This offending occurred over a three-month period while the offender was actively engaged in the duties of a police officer,” Judge English added.

She said Cridland’s judgment was not impaired due to PTSD or alcohol consumption.

Ms English said he continued to claim the girl lied about her age and about how they met.

She said Cridland’s job allowed him access and the girl should be commended for her courage in coming forward.

“It is accepted there is always significant ongoing psychological trauma suffered by victims of sexual abuse,” Judge English said.

She said Cridland seriously failed in his oath as an officer to uphold the law and to protect the community – particularly the girl.

Cridland was taken into custody after the earlier decision by the jury.

He appeared over video in Campbelltown District Court before Judge English on Friday for sentencing.

Cridland will be eligible for parole in 2033.