PAEDO TOUCHED TEENAGER AND TOLD HER TO TELL NOBODY
A man who repeatedly sexually abused a teenage girl and instructed her to keep silent about his actions has been convicted, a court was told.Morris Stowe, aged 52 and residing in Kings Nympton, Umberleigh, Devon, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on July 17, 2024, after admitting to two counts of non-penetrative sexual activity involving a minor.
The court heard that during his time living in Mid Cornwall, Stowe targeted a vulnerable young girl, forcing her to undress and then touching her breasts without consent.
When she asked him to stop, he did, but then warned her not to reveal what had occurred.
In his mitigation, Stowe's defense lawyer stated that the defendant had no previous relevant criminal record.
The court was informed that as a consequence of his crimes, Stowe lost his employment and his residence, and had attempted to take his own life.
A probation officer also assessed him as posing a low to medium risk of reoffending, recommending a community order.
During sentencing, His Honour Judge Robert Linford remarked, "This did not happen on a single, isolated occasion.
This happened on no less than three occasions." A victim impact statement expressed that the teenage girl now feels uncomfortable being alone and is wary of unfamiliar men.
The judge addressed Stowe directly, stating, “You abused her.
You answered ‘no comment’ when questioned.” The court also considered a pre-sentence report that described Stowe's own troubled childhood, including experiences of abuse and time spent in the care system, which contributed to his current state.
Judge Linford noted that Stowe has fully accepted his wrongdoing, distinguishing him from others who deny such allegations.
The judge emphasized that these offenses are of such seriousness that only immediate imprisonment is appropriate.
Stowe was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with half of the sentence to be served.
He will also be on the Sex Offender Register for ten years.
Due to a postal requisition, there is no available photograph of him.
