MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULTS ON GIRLFRIEND WHICH SAW BABY TAKEN AWAY
A man in his 30s has been sentenced to prison after a series of severe domestic abuse incidents that led to the removal of his infant child from their family home and placement into foster care.Gary Bowgen, aged 34 and residing on Clifton Road in Lowestoft, was given a prison term of seven years and six months on Tuesday, April 5.
He admitted to causing the victim to fear violence through harassment activities carried out between January and August 2021.
The relationship between Bowgen and the victim lasted for two years.
Shortly after moving into the victim’s residence in Norwich, he started to display physically and verbally aggressive behavior.
The abusive actions included slapping, strangulation, and physically pulling the victim along the street.
Due to Bowgen’s conduct, his two-day-old baby was placed under a Police Protection Order to ensure her safety, as her risk of harm was deemed significant.
Consequently, the infant was taken from her mother and cared for by a foster family.
The mother was later subject to a court-issued Care Order, restricting her ability to leave the house with her children unless accompanied by a family member, reflecting the ongoing danger posed by Bowgen.
PC Sarah Royall remarked on the case, saying, ”The horrific series of domestic abuse incidents Bowgen has subjected his victim to has had a profound impact on both her and her family’s everyday life.
"This caused her to have to move with her children, not be able to go out of her own home and resulted in her young baby being taken away for fear of his violence.
"This sentence should be a message to those who carry out such abhorrent acts that they will not be tolerated.” Bowgen received an extended sentence of seven years, including at least four and a half years in custody, with a three-year extended licence period.
Additionally, he was sentenced to 27 months for assault causing bodily harm on February 17, 2021, to run concurrently.
An unrelated property damage charge from the same date was dealt with without a separate sentence.
