Snapper-To-The-Stars Jailed For Sordid Sex Attacks On Young Models

A brilliant celebrity photographer has lost his career and freedom for a series of sordid sex attacks on half-naked young models at his studio during casting shoots.

Devon-born Lee Cropper, 31, saw his career rocket after moving to London from Plymouth six years ago and was one of actress Sadie Frost's favourite photographers.

He also took portraits of actress Billie Piper and his work adorned the front cover of Vogue magazine even though he had no formal training in the profession.

He was jailed for thirty-three months at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a 24 year-old model on September 14, last year and two 22 year-olds on May 11, this year.

Between those attacks Cropper, who lived and worked at Omega Works, Hermitage Road, Haringey, North London, (pictured) received a supervision order for another sexual assault on a model in her twenties.

The victims were dazzled by his glossy portfolio of celebrity shots and felt they could not object to such a successful and well-connected photographer's creepy suggestions.

Prosecutor Miss Sandy Canavan told the court Cropper - nicknamed 'The Mofo' - booked ambitious models via an agency and used a different email address when he was blacklisted, following complaints.

A total of five models made statements to police and more serious charges of rape, attempted rape and two more sexual assaults were dropped.

"The defendant knew what the position was. He was a successful photographer, he had a successful career taking portraits of a large amount of famous models," explained Miss Canavan.

"It was clear early on they were not legitimate casting sessions, rather an opportunity for the defendant to sexually assault the victims."

The first model, who Cropper claimed was testing for ID magazine, described his studio as "looking dodgy" and the defendant as "red-eyed and hyper-active."

"He pulled his trousers down and said: 'I'm a pervert. Is that all right with you?' and said if she got naked he could take some really good photographs," explained Miss Canavan.

"He wanted her to play with his penis and because she was scared she masturbated him."

The woman fled as a second model arrived and immediately called police. "The officer dismissed her allegations without proper investigation and the defendant was free to offend again."

Canavan received the community order for fondling a model responding to a 'tasteful nudes' shoot, who was "reassured" by his portfolio of famous faces.

He encouraged the young woman to play with herself. "The defendant then grabbed her and quickly moved up to her breasts."

Canavan finally asked for two topless models comfortable with kissing each other and separately assaulted them, stroking the first's nipple and face and forcing his thumb into her mouth.

"He put her hand on his penis and asked her to rub it," added the prosecutor. "He then started to masturbate himself and she describes herself as being terrified."

The second girl was similarly abused. "He asked her to put her hands on his legs, telling her to rub his legs and started pointing to his crotch."

Miss Louise Sweet, defending, said: "His career as a photographer is over. There is no way he can go back to it. It is a small community.

"He is a man from humble beginnings and when he came to London had an admin job in the City and it was only the loan of a digital camera from a friend that convinced him he may have a talent."

After publishing his first photos on Myspace, Cropper's career took off and he was being commissioned within six months.

"He could not cope and he was not used to being exposed to fame and famous people and maybe felt insecure in that world and began to drink because he could not cope with the pressure of the job," added the lawyer.

Judge Shaun Lyons said: "These are not fleeting offences. There is a degree of insistence and persistence in each case and an abuse of trust and authority.

"They are willing and anxious to do as photographers wish, that is the abuse of authority.

"Any naked person is always at a disadvantage to the clothed."

Cropper was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely; was banned from working with children and vulnerable adults; forfeited his camera, computer and photographs of the victims and was made subject to an indefinite Sexual Offenders Prevention Order.

At the peak of Cropper's career Sadie Frost said: "Mofo has taken some of my favourite pictures for both my company and myself. He has an edge over most with his gritty, cheeky and cool style."