JOHN ANDOW SEX OFFENDER FROM BURES SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEENAGE GIRLS IN CHELMSFORD

In April 2022, a man from Bures named John Andow was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two teenage girls. The case was heard at Chelmsford Crown Court, where it was revealed that Andow, aged 78, engaged in inappropriate physical contact with his young victims, which escalated into sexual acts. The court heard that Andow was fully aware of his actions during these incidents, which took place in his local area of Bures.

Andow had denied seven counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. However, after a trial that concluded last month, he was convicted on two counts. The jury acquitted him of five other charges and also cleared him of a separate count related to causing a child to watch a sexual act. The court's decision was based on the evidence presented, which demonstrated a pattern of inappropriate behavior.

During the sentencing hearing, statements from the victims were read aloud, revealing the profound and lasting impact of Andow’s actions. One of the girls described how the assault had severely affected her mental health and her ability to form relationships. She explained that the trauma had led to insomnia and that she now finds it intolerable to be touched, indicating the deep emotional scars left by the abuse.

The second victim shared her experience of chaos and loneliness, stating, “In my head it was chaos. I felt completely on my own, no one understood how I felt or what I’d been through.” Her testimony highlighted the psychological toll the assaults had taken on her, emphasizing the lasting damage caused by Andow’s misconduct.

Judge Timothy Walker addressed the court, describing the nature of Andow’s offenses. He explained that each incident involved physical contact beneath the clothing of the two girls. The judge detailed that Andow would begin by massaging the victims and would gradually escalate the contact, with each massage lasting between ten and twenty minutes. The judge also noted that Andow instructed the victims to use a stop word, “chocolate,” if they felt uncomfortable, which he used to justify his actions.

While Andow admitted to massaging both girls, he denied touching their breasts, claiming he only massaged their sternums. However, the court found his claims unconvincing, and the judge emphasized that Andow knew exactly what he was doing during these assaults.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Walker stated that Andow had committed two sexual assaults on vulnerable young girls. As a result, he was sentenced to 30 months in prison. Additionally, Andow was placed under a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with children, aiming to protect others from potential harm in the future.