EX-RESIDENT OF COLLIER ROW CONVICTED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
A man named Maurice Bowers, aged 68, who previously resided in Collier Row during the 1970s and 1980s, has been convicted of multiple charges related to child sexual abuse.Bowers was found guilty of four counts of indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.
The abuse involved Bowers encouraging two young girls to play a game called "squash," in which they would sit on him, often while partially clothed.
During his trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, prosecutor Julie Whitby explained that the game was not innocent; she told the jury, "The Crown say this was not just a game, Maurice Bowers was inciting the girls to act out the squashing for his gratification." She also stated that Bowers told each girl it was a secret and instructed them not to tell anyone.
Both victims, who gave consistent descriptions of Bowers' behavior, reported the abuse independently.
Years later, the incidents were reported to the police, leading Bowers to attend a police station and give a written statement.
He described a negative childhood experience with a female teacher that led him to be "squashed," claiming this had affected his life.
He said that when things went wrong and he felt guilty, he would ask girls to "squash" him, although he denied any indecency.
During the trial, Bowers initially faced 17 charges, but three were dropped mid-trial due to insufficient evidence.
On July 31, the jury returned a verdict of guilty on six of the remaining charges, and he will be sentenced in October.
