ANDREW MOWER AND DARREN SMITH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN ILFORD AND CLAYHALL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Ilford and Clayhall, two men, Andrew Mower and Darren Smith, have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms after being found guilty of a series of heinous child sex offences. The conviction follows a detailed investigation and an eight-week trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior targeting vulnerable teenage boys.

Andrew Mower, aged 67 and a resident of Ilford, was at the center of this disturbing case. He exploited his interest in trains and rail-related forums to lure young boys into his web of manipulation. Mower would engage with boys who shared his hobby, inviting them to meet in person at various rail conventions and museums. Once a relationship was established, he would ask the boys sexually explicit questions and gradually draw them into his home, where he introduced them to his 39-year-old lodger, Darren Smith.

The two men collaborated in their abuse, providing the victims—aged between 13 and 16—with mobile phones to maintain contact. This communication was exploited to manipulate the boys’ behavior, with the offenders seeking to isolate them from their families and friends. Mower and Smith used their influence to coerce the teenagers into performing sexual acts, often in exchange for money and alcohol. As their depraved campaign continued, the men escalated their actions to include sexual assault and rape.

Each victim was targeted individually, but the abuse only came to light when the boys, who had been communicating online, discovered each other and decided to report the crimes to the police. The investigation uncovered a disturbing pattern of exploitation and abuse, leading to the men’s arrest and subsequent trial.

During the court proceedings, Mower was convicted of ten counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts of rape, one count of attempted rape, and possession of indecent photographs of children. Darren Smith was found guilty of 13 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, 12 counts of rape, two counts of penetrative sexual activity with a child, and multiple charges related to possession of indecent images.

The judge sentenced both men to indeterminate prison terms, with a minimum of 20 years each, reflecting the severity of their crimes and the need for long-term protection of the public. Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mehta of the Metropolitan Police expressed his condemnation of the offenders’ actions, stating, ‘Mower and Smith deliberately targeted young and vulnerable boys by claiming to share their hobbies and interests. They gained their trust, alienated them from loved ones in a bid to exercise control over them and then sexually assaulted them.’

He also praised the bravery of the victims who came forward, emphasizing the importance of their courage in bringing the offenders to justice. Detective Mehta urged any other potential victims of Andrew Mower and Darren Smith to contact the police, ensuring that no other young lives are harmed by these predators in the future.