JULIAN OWEN FROM LYDBURY NORTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON YOUNG GIRL IN SHROPSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Lydbury North and the wider Shropshire area, Julian Owen, a 50-year-old man, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for the sexual assault of a young girl he was entrusted to care for as a babysitter. The incident took place in December 2013, and the court proceedings culminated in a sentencing hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on January 2014.

Judge Simon Tonking presided over the case, emphasizing the presence of compelling scientific evidence that confirmed Owen's involvement in the abuse. The court found Owen guilty of one count of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13. A second charge related to the same incident was dismissed during the trial, but the primary conviction was sufficient to warrant a significant custodial sentence.

Owen, who resides at Lower Down in Lydbury North near Bishop’s Castle, was described by the prosecution as a man who had betrayed the trust placed in him by the child's parents. The judge highlighted the severity of the breach of trust, noting that instead of fulfilling his role as a caregiver, Owen exploited the vulnerability of the young girl.

During the sentencing hearing, Owen’s defense attorney, Steven Bailey, argued that his client maintained his innocence regarding the charges. Bailey also pointed out that Owen, a self-employed businessman, was generally regarded as a person of good character prior to this incident. He described the offense as a singular, aberrant act of a brief nature, suggesting it was out of character for Owen.

Despite these claims, Judge Tonking made it clear that the nature of the crime was profoundly serious. He stated, “This was a very young child and you were in breach of the trust that her parents had put on you. Instead of looking after her, you abused her.” The judge acknowledged that Owen considered the act an aberration but emphasized the gravity of the breach of trust and the harm caused to the young victim. Owen’s actions have led to his imprisonment, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the devastating consequences when that trust is broken.