Growing up in Cambridgeshire’s nightlife scene, Bea thought Craig France was just a larger-than-life character—fun, generous, and the life of every party.
But behind that cheerful persona lay a dark reality that no one saw coming.
The Friendly Face Every Clubgoer Knew
France, who portrayed himself as a carefree 20-something, was actually in his early 30s—and lived in a sprawling three-story house where he kept hot tubs and free drinks flowing after clubs closed.
Bea remembers him as someone who made you feel seen, heard, and safe. “He was everyone’s friend,” she says. “One of life’s good guys.”
A Predator Hidden Behind Charm
No one suspected that this affable host was a sexual predator.
France was inviting young women into his home, getting them intoxicated, then filming them unconscious—engaging in sex acts and intercourse without their consent.
His shocking web of crimes unraveled in 2024, when one victim, Abby, discovered a video of herself that France had sent to others.
That revelation gave her the courage to go to the police—where his case quickly spiraled into something much darker than anyone had imagined.
Abby’s Brave Decision to Speak Out
Abby, who met France at 18, woke up one morning naked in bed to find him cleaning up in the bathroom—her memory halted at sambuca shots in his hot tub. She now suspects she’d been drugged.
When she learned that France had recorded footage of her, she reported him.
Police raided his home uncovering time-stamped videos, including one chilling clip showing France dragging her unconscious body from the tub before raping her.
“You look so beautiful,” he told her. It was just one piece of the horrifying evidence.
Bea Discovers Betrayal and Violation
Bea later learned that France had filmed himself with her too—again while she was unconscious. “I felt totally violated,” she says.
“He smirked at the camera. It was degrading, a total betrayal by someone I considered a friend.”
She shared her experience on 24 Hours in Police Custody, which documents Cambridgeshire Police’s painstaking work to piece together the scale of the crimes.
How Deep the Damage Runs
Detectives identified five women in France’s library, but believe those clips represent only a fraction of the footage.
At least 20 women appear in the material. France, a lorry driver, pleaded guilty in March to rape, sexual assault, voyeurism, and exposing himself.
His original sentence of 18 years and seven months was reduced to ten years and seven months due to his guilty plea.
Victims Question the Sentence’s Strength
For Bea, the sentence feels insufficient. “He’ll likely be out in five years,” she says.
“With thousands of recordings and secret cameras—this doesn’t even scratch the surface.”
She fears France is already forgotten by the time he’s reassigned, with even detectives haunted by unanswered questions.
The Emotional Fallout for Survivors
Both Bea and Abby struggle with trust. “Relationships, friendships—they’ve all been affected,” Bea says.
“I don’t go out much anymore.” Another previously unnamed woman described feelings of shame, embarrassment, and disgust when she learned she was filmed.
The Investigation Goes Deeper
Police found blacked-out windows, hidden cameras in multiple rooms, restraints under a bed, and chat messages in which France joked about his videos.
Detectives believe his offenses likely go back years. DCI Helen Tebbit confided that the investigation is ongoing and may reveal many more victims.
From Victim to Voice: Finding Strength in Sharing the Story
Despite the pain, Bea found some relief in telling her story on camera. “It’s hard to trust anyone,” she admits.
“But if this show helps warn younger women to ask hard questions, it might prevent another tragedy.”