Former football stadium announcer kept ‘vulnerable’ woman prisoner in his home after holiday bust up in Manchester

Manchester: So, there’s this former football announcer, Joshua Adcroft, who just got sentenced for some pretty serious stuff. He kept a young woman prisoner in his home after a holiday gone wrong.

It all started when they were on a trip in April 2024. They had a fight at a bar, and things escalated quickly. The woman, who was only 20 and feeling vulnerable after a breakup, sent some messages that Adcroft misinterpreted as suicide threats. He got really upset about it.

After the fight, she felt homesick, and Adcroft didn’t take it well. He got aggressive, grabbing her and throwing her on the bed. It was a scary situation for her, and she even texted her ex for help while hiding in the bathroom.

Later, she went to his place to get her stuff, even though he was supposed to stay away from her. They ended up seeing each other regularly, but things took a turn for the worse again in June. She didn’t want to go with him to Liverpool because she was grieving her grandmother, and that led to another argument.

Adcroft showed up at the cemetery, and she reluctantly went back to his house. But once there, he took her phone and wouldn’t let her leave. He was aggressive and hurt her, leaving her with bruises.

In a desperate move, she jumped out of a first-floor window to escape. She ran to a nearby shop, barefoot and scared, asking for help. The judge noted how distressed she looked on the shop’s CCTV.

Adcroft was convicted of common assault, ABH, and false imprisonment. He had a history of troubling behavior, including previous convictions for indecent images. The judge gave him a sentence of three years and nine months, saying he took advantage of her vulnerability.

It’s a really sad story, and it shows how important it is to recognize and address domestic abuse. If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, there are resources available to help.