A former extra on the hit Netflix drama ‘The Crown’ who convinced teenage girls to carry out sexual acts for money, gifts and oyster card top ups has been convicted of rape.
John Bancroft, 68, targeted seven teenage girls online by offering ‘sugar daddy’ experiences and subjected at least one victim to bondage, domination and sado-masochistic sexual practice, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
His younger half-brother Graham Manicom, 62, was also involved in the abuse of the young victims.
They sexually abused one of the girls at a Hotel Ibis in Stratford, east London, after offering her chocolate and alcohol, jurors were told.
Bancroft’s illicit activities were uncovered when a sister of one of the victims contacted police in May 2017. He was later arrested and analysis of his devices revealed a much-larger grooming campaign.
Bancroft was convicted of four counts of rape and meeting a child following sexual grooming by a jury, while Manicom admitted two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child during the trial.
They were remanded in custody ahead of sentence on 14 February next year.
John Bancroft, left, targeted seven teenage girls online by offering ‘sugar daddy’ experiences and subjected at least one victim to bondage, domination and sado-masochistic sexual practice, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard. His younger half-brother Graham Manicom, right, was also involved in the abuse of the young victims
Speaking after the brothers were convicted, prosecutor Olivia Ball said: ‘John Bancroft was a manipulative, predatory and sickening man who was old enough to be the grandfather of the girls he targeted.
‘He groomed and exploited these young girls. He chose victims that he perceived to be vulnerable – often those without a father figure and girls with little sexual experience.
‘In exchange for money, these young girls were without question expected to pander to Bancroft’s sexual demands which included group sex and sado-masochistic acts.
‘Graham Manicom was no stranger to his brother’s activities and was also a willing participant.
‘The prosecution case against the defendants included strong witness testimony from the victims, phone evidence and DNA evidence from sex toys found at Bancroft’s home address.
‘The victims in this case have shown incredible fortitude throughout this investigation and prosecution. The CPS is committed to bringing sexual offenders to justice.’
Bancroft, described by the prosecution as a ‘former Netflix Crown extra and union employee’, met his victims at hotels, then paid them up to £200 a week to engage in sexual acts.
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He also offered them alcohol to lower their inhibitions.
Bancroft sent images of his genitals to the young girls he had groomed and encouraged them to send indecent photographs of themselves back to him.
He also convinced some of his victims to take part in threesomes with Manicom.
Bancroft called his victims ‘sugar babies’ or ‘princesses’, while showering them money, gifts and food.
He told one girl he wanted to be her ‘mentor, father, provider and lover’.
Bancroft met girls at hotels across London and at his own home.
Bancroft was described by the prosecution as a ‘former Netflix Crown extra and union employee’. Pictured: Claire Foy and Matt Smith on set for The Crown in 2016
Ms Ball had told the court: ‘Bancroft would seek [the teenage girls] through a child dating website. He would pay for sexual services after gaining their trust. These were vulnerable young girls.’
Detective Sergeant Kelly Ryan from Modern Slavery and Child Exploitation team said: ‘Bancroft and Manicom are sick individuals who targeted vulnerable girls for their own twisted gratification. They are old enough to be the victims’ grandfathers and their manipulative actions have had a devastating impact for the girls they abused.
‘The brothers had a significant power imbalance over the victims and they were extremely calculating in who they targeted and sought girls who were distant from their families, had financial worries or who had been previously abused.
‘The seven victims who assisted police throughout this lengthy investigation have been extremely strong and brave throughout the trial and I sincerely hope this result will start to bring them some closure.
‘I also applaud the sister of one victim who absolutely did the right thing by contacting us to share her concerns. This launched the investigation and uncovered the scale of Bancroft’s offending.
‘I encourage anyone who has had a similar experience to that of the victims to come forward and report it to police. We will support you and take all reports seriously.’
Bancroft had earlier admitted five counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempted sexual communication with a child and nine counts of attempted causing or inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, as well as seven counts of taking indecent images and six counts of distributing indecent images of children.
Bancroft, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, and Manicom, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, were remanded in custody ahead of sentence.
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