Two men jailed for sexually exploiting women in Derby

Leighton Murray and Tyler Crossley, both from Derby, worked together to make money from the women, approaching them first on social media.

Twenty-six-year-old Crossley would target women who were feeling vulnerable and at times when they were struggling with their mental health and trying to cope with personal traumatic situations in their lives.

The men would get them hooked on drugs and get them to pay for their drug debts through sex work.

Profiles were set up for the women on adult sex websites, and 38-year-old Murray would arrange appointments with so called clients.

Between them Crossley and Murray would pay for hotel rooms in the city where some of the women would be kept, given drugs and made to perform sexual acts they hadn’t agreed to.

The investigation started when officers searching for a vulnerable missing woman found her in a hotel room with Crossley back in January 2023.

Officers believe they exploited around 14 different women, but it is possible other victims have yet to be identified.

The pair both pleaded guilty to conspiring to control prostitution for gain.

Murray, formerly of St Clares Close in Derby, was sentenced to 45 months imprisonment and Crossley, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment.

Det. Sgt. Ross O’Brien of our criminal exploitation team said: “This has been a long and complex investigation which has seen us successfully disrupt a sex work operation exploiting vulnerable women in the Derby area.

“The women were exploited time and time again, with Murray and Crosley were controlling these women for their own criminal gain. They went through horrendous, humiliating ordeals and I would praise them for their bravery and courage in supporting the investigation and throughout the court process.”

DS O’Brien added: “We are committed to tackling exploitation of all kinds and continue to work proactively to put an end to modern slavery in Derbyshire.”

If you, or someone you know, is being exploited then there is help out there. It is not right and it should not be allowed to continue.

Anyone with information about modern slavery or forced labour can report it to Derbyshire police, in confidence, at any time using any of the below methods:

• Website – We have crime reporting tools on our website: use our online contact form
• Facebook – send us a private message to the Derbyshire Constabulary Facebook page
• X (Twitter) – direct message our contact centre via @DerPolContact
• Phone – call us on 101 

You can also anonymously contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers, on 0800 555 111, or by visiting the CrimeStoppers website.

Find out more about modern slavery by visiting www.antislavery.org and report concerns to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.