JON MCGOWAN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN TUNSTALL: CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND REPEATED OFFENSES

In a disturbing series of criminal acts, Jon McGowan, a known offender from Tunstall, has been convicted and sentenced for possessing and downloading indecent images of children. His criminal history reveals a troubling pattern of predatory behavior that has spanned over a decade, with multiple convictions and ongoing violations.

In November 2016, McGowan, aged 48, was sentenced to six months in prison after he was found guilty of downloading indecent images of children shortly after his release from prison. He had been released from a previous sentence for similar offenses on March 11, 2016. Less than six weeks later, on April 22, police officers visited his residence in Tunstall, where they discovered evidence of his continued involvement in such illicit activities.

During the police visit, officers inquired whether McGowan had any devices capable of connecting to the internet or storing digital images. He handed over a mobile phone, which contained a memory card with seven Category C images of children. However, he failed to surrender additional devices, including another memory stick and a second phone, which were later recovered by authorities. McGowan, who previously resided on Pinnox Street in Tunstall but now has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to charges of making indecent photographs of a child. Judge David Fletcher sentenced him to six months in prison and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will remain in effect until further notice. The judge issued a stern warning, emphasizing that any future re-offending could result in a much longer prison sentence, potentially spanning years.

McGowan's criminal record is extensive. In May 2015, he was jailed for nearly two years after police uncovered over 1,600 explicit images and videos of children as young as nine years old on his devices. During that investigation, he was observed in Asda, Tunstall, meeting with a fellow sex offender he had befriended through a support group. Authorities found that McGowan stored these illicit materials on his personal computer and mobile phone, making them easily accessible. Evidence showed that he had a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) in place since March 2013, following a previous conviction, which prohibited him from associating with like-minded individuals and from tampering with his devices.

Further examination of his devices revealed a disturbing collection: 46 Category B images, 1,513 Category C images, and 61 videos or images classified as Category A—the most serious category. During the court proceedings, mitigation was presented by Kevin Mortlock, who described McGowan as leading a solitary and isolated life, plagued by mistrust and ongoing thoughts of this nature since childhood. Despite acknowledging the need for change, McGowan admitted to having had such thoughts for many years. Since 2013, he had not reoffended and had been under strict probation supervision. Nevertheless, Judge Paul Glenn sentenced him to 20 months in prison, highlighting that his continued attraction to young boys, particularly those up to nine years old, posed a significant risk to the community.

McGowan's criminal history also includes a conviction from 2005, when he served nearly eight years behind bars for child sex offenses. His earlier conviction involved making indecent images of children and breaching his SOPO. The severity of his offenses and the repeated nature of his crimes underscore the ongoing danger he presents.

In a broader context, the criminal justice system has taken firm action against individuals like McGowan. In April 2005, two men, Jonathan Scarcliffe from Leamington Spa and David Bell from Birtley, Tyne and Wear, were jailed for their roles in child exploitation. Scarcliffe, aged 37, received a sentence of five and a half years, while Bell, aged 44, was sentenced to four years. Both men admitted to multiple charges, including taking, possessing, and distributing indecent images, as well as sexual assault. Scarcliffe, who was identified as the more predatory of the two, was described by the judge as a true predator, with victims ranging from infants to children up to 12 years old. The police found thousands of images on their devices, some encrypted or erased to conceal their activities. These cases were part of Operation Jinks, a joint US-British police initiative targeting child exploitation networks.

Authorities expressed their commitment to combating such heinous crimes, emphasizing the importance of advanced technology and investigative techniques in bringing offenders to justice. Both Scarcliffe and Bell were ordered to register as sex offenders for life, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes and the ongoing threat they pose to society.