JOHN BOWDEN SENTENCED IN MANCHESTER FOR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH SCHOOLGIRL

In October 2007, a 32-year-old man from Adswood, John Bowden, was jailed for engaging in a sexual relationship with a girl who was only 15 years old. The court heard that Bowden, of Arnfield Road, befriended the girl during the summer school holidays when she was just 14. After she turned 15, Bowden expressed his love for her and engaged in sexual activities, including having sex in a public place and at his home. He also told her he wanted her to have his children.

The relationship lasted several months until the girl’s mother grew suspicious of her frequent sleepovers. When questioned, the girl broke down and admitted to her mother that Bowden had pressured her to stay over.

Bowden, who denied any threatening behaviour during their relationship, was convicted of sexual activity with a child and received a two-year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was banned from approaching or communicating with the girl or other underage teenagers.

During the court proceedings at Minshull Street Crown Court, it was revealed that Bowden first met the girl during the summer holidays, and they quickly developed a friendship. The girl often visited his house to watch DVDs, initially with a friend. Bowden also prepared a birthday dinner for her when she turned 15. It was after this that their relationship became sexual.

When arrested, Bowden claimed he had turned a "blind eye" to the girl’s age, a claim dismissed by the judge.

Delivering the sentence, Judge Mushtaq Khokar stated: "You were more than twice her age and you knew right from the outset that this relationship was wrong. Young girls need to be protected, not only from those who prey on them but also from themselves due to their lack of maturity. That’s why the law makes it clear that individuals who commit offences of this nature must face prison."