John Bancroft used various dating apps to offer ‘sugar daddy’ arrangements All pic (Met Police)
John Bancroft, of Chestnut Avenue, used a number of dating apps to offer ‘sugar daddy’ arrangements to girls aged between 13 and 18.
He was found guilty of of four counts of rape, meeting a child following sexual grooming, paying for the sexual services of a child, attempting, causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child and attempting sexual communication with a child on Monday, 13 December following a 7 week trial.
Bancroft was handed his sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, 21 February.
His brother, Graham Manicom, Hyde Mead, was also sentenced to four years in prison after he plead guilty to two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child.
Bancroft’s brother, Graham Manicom, was sentenced to 5 years
The court had heard how Bancroft would meet the girls on dating apps, such as MyLol, and pretended to be much younger than he actually was.
He then paid them to participate in sexual acts and offered to be their mentor, teacher, father-figure, provider and lover.
After receiving a reply on the dating apps he would then move the conversation to WhatsApp and would send up to 100 messages a day.
Some of the victims met with Bancroft and would, in return for money, gifts or food, pander to his sexual demands which included group sex and sado-masochistic acts.
Bancroft would drive across the country to meet the girls, staying in various hotels, drive to remote areas for sex or even take them to his home address.
Bancroft often took the girls to hotels
He would also take images of the girls and share them over messaging sites and would manipulate them to also share indecent images.
The brothers became noticed by the police after a girl grew suspicious of the person they were speaking to and reached out to police, sparking an investigation by the Met’s Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team.
Bancroft was arrested in January of 2020 and was placed on the sex offenders register in the September of the same year after pleading guilty to possession of indecent images of children.
Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, the Met’s lead responsible officer for exploitation, said: “Bancroft and Manicom pose a serious risk to vulnerable women and girls and I am glad they will be behind bars for a significant period of time.
“I am pleased the severity of Bancroft’s offending was taken into consideration when he was given an extended sentence. He is a sick and twisted man just like his brother.
“The pair caused immeasurable harm to the victims and they preyed on their vulnerabilities in a sinister and calculating manner.
“I would like to commend the seven victims for coming forward and for their bravery throughout the investigation and subsequent trial.
“I also commend the detectives who worked closely alongside them and were relentless in their efforts to put these dangerous and sick men behind bars. Their work was recognised with a personal acknowledgement from the judge
“I encourage anyone who has had a similar experience to that of these victims to come forward and report it to police. We will support you and take all reports seriously.”
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Tags: Epping Forest, Sexual Offender, John Bancroft, Graham Manicom
