DAMIAN HOWES FROM ROWANFIELD SENTENCED FOR ONLINE GROOMING OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN CHELTENHAM

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming, Damien Howes, a 24-year-old man from Rowanfield, was convicted of sexually grooming a 13-year-old girl through digital communication and persuading her to run away from her home in Basingstoke. The incident unfolded after the girl’s family became alarmed when she disappeared following a heated argument, prompting them to report her missing to the authorities.

Her frantic family members attempted to reach her via text messages and conducted a thorough search of her room, where they discovered a scrapbook containing Howes’s name and address in Cheltenham. This discovery led police to conduct a raid at Howes’s residence in the early hours of June 27. When officers arrived, they found Howes fully clothed and lying in his bed, taken into custody without incident.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Howes had posed as a 17-year-old boy on a dating website, engaging with the girl in a manner that suggested romantic interest. He expressed his affection by telling her he loved her and that he “wanted to hold you and never let go.” Prosecutor Nick Fridd explained to Gloucester Crown Court that Howes’s manipulative tactics included convincing the girl to purchase a National Express ticket to travel from her hometown in Basingstoke to Cheltenham, where he was located.

During the trial, it was disclosed that Howes initially claimed the girl was his cousin, attempting to justify their contact. He insisted she had told him she was “17 going on 18,” which was part of his attempt to downplay the severity of their interactions. Despite her initial claim of being 15, the girl later admitted she was only 13, and she reminded Howes of her age during their conversations. Nevertheless, Howes continued to send her sexually explicit messages, including one where he stated, “I can’t wait to hold you and never let go.” When she responded with “Cute,” he replied, “It’s not cute, it’s because I love you, I want to be with you till I die.”

According to Mr. Fridd, the girl traveled alone on a coach to Heathrow Airport, then changed her plans and continued her journey to Cheltenham. The court noted the significant risk involved, emphasizing that a 13-year-old girl was undertaking a nearly 10-hour journey alone. Upon her arrival, Howes assured her that he would not ask for sex on their first night together. However, the following day, he expressed a desire to make love to her, despite her repeated refusals.

It was also revealed that Howes had a prior conviction at the age of 14 for indecent assault against a young girl, which underscored the ongoing danger he posed. In sentencing, Judge Jamie Tabor QC described Howes as a significant threat to young girls, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the potential harm he could cause. Howes was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison for his role in the grooming and exploitation of the young girl, marking a stern judicial response to this disturbing case.