NEIL BOWER'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN STOCKPORT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stockport, Neil Bower, a 32-year-old health and safety consultant, was found to be in possession of an alarming number of explicit images involving children. Despite the severity of his crimes, Bower was surprisingly released from court with a relatively lenient sentence.

Authorities uncovered that Bower had stored a total of 2,950 indecent photographs on his home computers. These images, sourced from the internet, included graphic content such as full sexual acts, bestiality, sadistic abuse, and even photographs involving infants. The sheer volume and disturbing nature of these images highlighted the extent of his involvement in child exploitation material.

Under normal circumstances, such offenses could warrant a prison sentence of up to five years. However, during the hearing at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Stuart Fish chose to impose a different form of punishment. Instead of incarceration, Bower was sentenced to a three-year rehabilitation order, which would require him to undergo therapy aimed at addressing his problematic interests.

Judge Fish did not shy away from condemning Bower’s actions. He described the offenses as “wicked and pernicious,” emphasizing the harm caused by such material. The judge stated, “You played your part in creating the demand which others seek to supply. They meet that demand by abusing children sometimes in the most horrific ways.”

Despite the harsh language, the judge acknowledged Bower’s guilty plea and his immediate steps to seek help. He remarked, “You pleaded guilty and accepted your responsibility fully. You also immediately took steps to seek help to tackle your problem which, when you faced it, you too found horrifying.”

Nevertheless, the decision to release Bower drew sharp criticism from child protection organizations. Dr. Michele Elliot, representing the charity Kidscape, expressed her outrage. She stated, “I am appalled this man has been allowed back on the streets. These children have suffered horrific abuse, and this man has contributed to that by collecting pictures of it. He should have been locked up.”

She further added, “We don’t know if treatment in a sex offenders group will work, but what we do know is this guy clearly has an unhealthy interest in kids.”

It was revealed that Bower was living with his parents in Stockport at the time of his arrest. Police conducted a raid on his residence, uncovering the illicit images and confirming his possession and creation of obscene material. The case has sparked widespread concern about the adequacy of the justice system’s response to such grave offenses.