PORTHILL SEX OFFENDER MARTIN ROWLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Porthill, Martin Rowley, aged 45, has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of a young girl and the possession of indecent images of children. The case came to light after police investigations uncovered chilling evidence in Rowley's home, revealing the extent of his criminal activities.

It was in November 2017 that authorities discovered a camera locked away in a drawer beside Rowley's bed at his residence on First Avenue, Porthill. This device contained photographs that captured the moment he committed a sexual assault on a young girl, an act that has left the victim and her family devastated. The police's discovery was part of a broader investigation triggered when Rowley posted an indecent image on a social media platform, prompting officers to execute a search warrant at his address in Newcastle borough.

During the search, officers seized the camera and other electronic devices for forensic analysis. The examination revealed that the images on the camera were not downloaded from elsewhere but had been taken by Rowley himself, indicating a deliberate act of abuse. Further scrutiny of his computer equipment uncovered a disturbing pattern of viewing and possessing indecent images of children, confirming his involvement in multiple offenses.

Rowley faced multiple charges, including assault by penetration of a child under 13, three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child, and making indecent images of children. He also admitted to creating a moving image of a child in an indecent context, all related to material accessed online. His guilty plea was entered at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where the severity of his crimes was laid bare.

A statement from the young girl’s mother was read aloud during the court proceedings, expressing her profound anguish. She stated, “Since being made aware of the despicable and evil actions of Martin Rowley, my life has fallen apart. I feel my world has collapsed – there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.” Her words underscored the devastating impact of Rowley's actions on the victim and her family.

Judge Jinder Singh Boora did not hold back in condemning Rowley, describing him as ‘evil’ and emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The judge stated, “You are an evil man who has committed an evil crime. You downloaded images of other children for your own sexual gratification.” As part of his sentence, Rowley was handed a prison term of six years and eight months. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.

Earlier in October 2017, Rowley had already pleaded guilty to assaulting a child under 13 by penetration, along with three charges of taking indecent photographs of children and two charges of making indecent images. His sentencing was scheduled to follow after a probation report was prepared, and he was granted bail pending the court’s decision. The case has highlighted the serious nature of child exploitation crimes and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable victims from predators like Martin Rowley.