ANTHONY OWEN'S SHAMEFUL OUTBURST IN NORTHWOOD LEADS TO JAIL TIME

In July 2013, Anthony Owen, a known sex offender from Northwood, faced the consequences of his disturbing behavior when he was sentenced to prison following two separate incidents of public indecency. Owen, aged 64, who had previously served an eight-year incarceration in 1997 for indecent assaults on young females, was once again brought before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court to answer for his recent misconduct.

According to court reports, Owen's actions became increasingly alarming and unacceptable. On March 26, a woman returning home after dropping her husband off at work encountered Owen in a distressing situation. She was accompanied by her two children when she saw Owen exposing himself in her direction. Recognizing the threat and the inappropriate nature of his behavior, she quickly ushered her children inside her house to protect them from further exposure.

The prosecutor, Heather Chamberlin, detailed the incident, revealing that Owen had made lewd comments of a sexual nature towards the woman. Furthermore, he offered her £10 in exchange for performing a sexual act, an act that she promptly reported to the police. This disturbing offer added to the severity of his misconduct and underscored his blatant disregard for social boundaries and the law.

Less than two months later, on May 19, Owen's behavior escalated further. Witnesses observed him walking outside his residence on Cardwell Street in Northwood completely naked. In a shocking display, he performed a sex act on himself in public, an act that was witnessed by passersby and further demonstrated his ongoing pattern of indecent exposure.

Following this incident, Owen was swiftly arrested by law enforcement authorities. During police questioning, he expressed a lack of remorse, claiming that he did not believe he had done anything wrong. Despite his denial, Owen pleaded guilty to two charges of exposure, acknowledging his misconduct.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Scott Ashdown highlighted Owen's solitary lifestyle and his reclusive tendencies since his release from prison in 1997. Ashdown pointed out that Owen had been consuming excessive amounts of alcohol, which he suggested may have contributed to his behavior. He also emphasized Owen's difficulty in acknowledging the seriousness of his actions, portraying him as a man struggling with personal issues.

However, the presiding judge, Recorder Simon Draycott QC, emphasized the gravity of Owen's offenses. He pointed out the serious aggravating factors, including the fact that Owen exposed himself to a woman with her two children present and had previously served time for similar offenses. The judge stated that such conduct warranted a custodial sentence to reflect the severity of the crimes.

As a result, Anthony Owen was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Additionally, he was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order and was placed on the sex offenders' register until further notice, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities and restrictions to prevent further harm to the community.