RED BRIDGE PAEDOPHILE ANDREW MOWER FAILS TO HAVE INDEFINITE SENTENCE REDUCED

In December 2012, a convicted paedophile from Redbridge, Andrew Mower, 68, of Tryfan Close, failed in his legal attempt to have his indefinite prison sentence reduced, which could potentially mean he remains incarcerated for life.

Mower was found guilty in June of numerous offences committed between 2006 and 2011, during which he and his lodger, Darren Smith, 39, lured four young boys to their shared home. The victims, aged between 13 and 16, were subjected to sexual assaults and acts of rape.

He was sentenced to an indefinite term for public protection after being convicted of 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of rape, and one count of attempted rape, all following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. The court also ordered that he serve a minimum of 10 years before he could apply for parole.

Today, Mower’s legal team attempted to have this minimum term shortened at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Lord Justice Rix, Mr Justice MacKay, and Mr Justice Underhill presided over the hearing. Mower’s attorneys argued that, given his advancing age, the minimum term should be reduced to prevent him from potentially dying in prison.

However, Mr Justice Underhill rejected the appeal, stating: “The finding of dangerousness cannot be challenged. As to the minimum term, the judge took into account the age and health of the offender, as well as the aggravating factors.”

The judge highlighted the particularly disturbing aspect of Mower’s crimes—using bondage to restrain the boys. Mower and Smith used their shared interest in railways and posed as trainspotters to lure their victims.

He added: “A minimum term of ten years is beyond appeal.”

In June, Smith received the same sentence as Mower.