Accrington sex offender jailed for 14 years

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The man pictured is 32-year-old Joshua Adcroft and he is a deceitful and depraved sex offender.

He also uses the name Joshua Everitt and used to be a football stadium announcer.

His current employment opportunities are now extremely limited. That is because he was jailed for 14 years at Preston Crown Court on Friday (25th July) following our investigation into his abhorrent crimes.

Our investigations found that Adcroft had groomed an 11-year-old girl before going on to sexually assault her. He made threats against her if she told anyone what he had done.

In an impact statement to the court, she said: “I felt empty inside when Josh first touched me. I felt overwhelmed and helpless. I now feel frustrated. I’m annoyed that I was too scared to tell anyone and feel that I let him do it.

“Previously Josh’s threats stopped me from telling people and reporting to the police as I was worried that he would carry them out. I isolated myself due to this. I was unable to tell anyone. He took away my ability to speak. However, after a period of time, I had the mindset of that not being my problem, and I was so relieved when I told my family.

“Josh has shown me a lot of love, treats and money since knowing him, but this would stop at times, and I found it confusing. Looking back, it was like a cycle which I’d now describe as ‘love bombing’. Josh messed with my head. At the time I wondered why my friends and family didn’t do this to me. It was continuous love from them, but I was always second guessing and wondering when they would stop loving me, like Josh did.”

Adcroft was a registered sex offender at the time of his latest offending but had kept his contact with the child a secret from the authorities.

The offending came to light in April 2024 and Adcroft was arrested by our British Transport Police colleagues following his return from a work trip.

Adcroft’s house in Accrington was searched following his arrest and two laptops and an iPad were found hidden inside an upstairs wardrobe. These devices had not been registered with the authorities – something he was required to do by a court order.

The electronic devices were searched and on two of them, our officers found indecent images of an eight-year-old girl from Essex. We also found a chat log, where Adcroft encouraged activity and instructed the girl’s mother on what images he wanted. These offences took place on 8th April and 9th April 2024. A criminal investigation has been launched into the conduct of the victim’s mother.

A further 53 indecent images of children were found on Adcroft ‘s hidden devices.

Adcroft, formerly of Lower Antley Street, Accrington, but now of no fixed address, was charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, soliciting indecent images of children; and 11 breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty to all the offences. As well as being given the custodial sentence, Adcroft was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

DC Laura Fahey, of the East Child Protection Team, said: “Adcroft is a manipulative individual who takes an unhealthy interest in young girls for his own perverted sexual interests.

“In contrast, the victim highlighted above has shown incredible courage in coming forward and speaking out about what Adcroft had done to her, despite his threats. His behaviour has clearly had a profound impact on her, as highlighted by her statement to the court.

“I welcome the sentence handed down to Adcroft. He is an extremely dangerous sexual offender who is now off the streets and away from children.”

If you or somebody you know has been the victim of a sexual offence, report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk  or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.