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Cross Gates knife pervert targeted nightclub hen party
A Cross Gates pervert armed with two lock knives targeted a hen party outside a nightclub before telling one girl he wanted sex with her.
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When Geoffrey Craven, aged 60, was arrested and later searched, a pair of marigold cleaning gloves, lipstick, condoms, Viagra, male and female underwear and adult magazines were found.
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Police then searched the bedroom of his home on Ravensworth Close, Pendas Fields, Cross Gates, and found a latex adult suit and dress, a gas mask, velvet skirt, plastic handcuffs and more marigold gloves.
Sentencing Craven at Leeds Crown Court, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, said: "You went out into the city centre, you were armed with two lock knives. The circumstances are rather worrying because it appears from all that I have been told that leading up to that night you had been engaged in various fantasies of a sexual nature and that all seems to have built up to a climax on that night."
It was just before midnight on November 29 last year when Craven went up to the hen party who were smoking outside the Birdcage nightclub on Briggate.
For the prosecution, Suzanne Smales said he approached one of the girls with his face right up to hers and said he wanted sex with her.
"He said it in an aggressive manner causing her to feel shocked and intimidated, so much so she had to back away," she said.
As Craven turned to walk off, another girl called him a "dirty old man", prompting him to shout abuse.
Ms Smales continued: "He started to walk towards them again. At that stage a knife was produced by him and seen by one of the girls."
A doorman from the club stepped in, lifted Craven off his feet, prompting a knife to fall to the floor. A second was found on him.
These had three and four inch blades and both locks were open so the knife blades were showing.
When interviewed by police, Craven denied any sexual motive, said he was drunk and couldn't remember what he said to the girl.
The court heard Craven lived with his ill father and was mourning the death of his mother.
Judge Collier said: "The probation service has recommended it's in the public interest in your case that you go on to a course to try and treat your fantasies and your sexual problems."
Craven was given an eight-month jail term suspended for two years and was ordered to take part in a sex offender's programme for two years as well as a supervision requirement for two years.
He had admitted one charge of possessing an offensive weapon and breaching bail and has already served five weeks in custody.
He had only one previous conviction, for shoplifting.
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Weather for Leeds
Tuesday 22 May 2012
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