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| Police hunt missing sex offender | Police hunt missing sex offender |
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| A sex offender and fraudster who grew up in East Lothian is being hunted by police in the West Midlands after walking out of his probation hostel. | |
| John Cronin, 37, was given a life sentence in 1992 for a sex attack against a Conservative party activist who became know as Judy X. | John Cronin, 37, was given a life sentence in 1992 for a sex attack against a Conservative party activist who became know as Judy X. |
| Since his early release in 1996 he has been jailed on several occasions for crimes such as fraud and armed robbery. | Since his early release in 1996 he has been jailed on several occasions for crimes such as fraud and armed robbery. |
| Police described him as a "conman" who could prey on vulnerable people. | Police described him as a "conman" who could prey on vulnerable people. |
| Heather McCamley, of West Midlands Police, said: "Since 1992 his offending has been contained to deception and fraud matters where he targets vulnerable and elderly people with a view to stealing money." | Heather McCamley, of West Midlands Police, said: "Since 1992 his offending has been contained to deception and fraud matters where he targets vulnerable and elderly people with a view to stealing money." |
| Priest outfit | Priest outfit |
| He is not on the sex offenders register because it was not established when he was convicted of sexual assault 17 years ago. | He is not on the sex offenders register because it was not established when he was convicted of sexual assault 17 years ago. |
| Police said he has connections in north east England, Scotland, Ireland and continental Europe. | Police said he has connections in north east England, Scotland, Ireland and continental Europe. |
| He is described as an "intelligent and articulate" man, 5ft 11ins tall, of heavy build with light brown hair. | He is described as an "intelligent and articulate" man, 5ft 11ins tall, of heavy build with light brown hair. |
| Cronin was jailed for life for a violent sex attack on the Conservative Party activist in her Edinburgh flat 14 years ago. | Cronin was jailed for life for a violent sex attack on the Conservative Party activist in her Edinburgh flat 14 years ago. |
| Dressed as a priest, he beat the woman with a poker before sexually assaulting her, but his jail term was reduced to six years on appeal. | Dressed as a priest, he beat the woman with a poker before sexually assaulting her, but his jail term was reduced to six years on appeal. |
| Judy X stood up at the Conservative Party Conference and condemned the justice system in a speech following the decision. | Judy X stood up at the Conservative Party Conference and condemned the justice system in a speech following the decision. |
| After his release in 1996, Cronin fled to Ireland and has since been convicted of a string of offences often committed while he was disguised as a priest or a businessman. | After his release in 1996, Cronin fled to Ireland and has since been convicted of a string of offences often committed while he was disguised as a priest or a businessman. |
| He also stalked female Irish politicians after organising a series of meetings with them. | He also stalked female Irish politicians after organising a series of meetings with them. |
| In 2007, Cronin was jailed in Sweden for admitting running up huge hotel and restaurant bills then telling staff he had no money. | In 2007, Cronin was jailed in Sweden for admitting running up huge hotel and restaurant bills then telling staff he had no money. |