NORTON DOWTHWAITE SENTENCED IN LLANRWST FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRL

In August 2022, a man who previously went by the name Norton Jefferson Dowthwaite, now known as Nathan Fulthorpe, and residing in Blackburn, was involved in a serious criminal case that drew significant attention. The case originated from allegations made in Llanrwst, where Dowthwaite had previously lived, concerning the sexual abuse of a young girl under the age of 13.

Back in July 2008, Dowthwaite, then aged 33 and residing at Glanrafon in Llanrwst, was convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term of nine years for his involvement in these heinous acts. The court proceedings took place at Caernarfon Crown Court, where Judge Merfyn Hughes QC presided over the case. During the hearing, Dowthwaite admitted to repeatedly sexually assaulting the young girl over a span of approximately two and a half years.

The judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, stating, “The fact she is under 13 years of age makes these offences very serious indeed. These were not isolated incidents.” The court was informed that the abuse was ongoing and not a one-time occurrence, which contributed to the severity of the sentence.

Following his conviction, Dowthwaite’s name was scheduled to be entered onto the sex offenders’ register upon his release from prison. Additionally, the judge imposed an indefinite ban on him working with children, reflecting the ongoing concern for public safety and the protection of vulnerable minors.

Throughout the sentencing, Dowthwaite was flanked by three security guards in the dock, standing with his head bowed as the sentence was handed down. The court acknowledged his early guilty plea and his expressions of remorse, which the judge said he took into account when determining the sentence. Had Dowthwaite chosen to deny the charges and proceed to trial, he could have faced a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

The case came to light earlier in the year when the young girl disclosed the abuse to her mother. Following this revelation, her mother took her to the police, where a video-recorded interview was conducted. During this interview, the girl provided further details, alleging that the sexual assaults had occurred over a period of 18 months, from November 2005 until May of the current year.

Richard Edwards, the prosecutor, explained that Dowthwaite was arrested following these disclosures. During police interviews, he admitted to the offences in full but did not offer any explanation for his actions. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for swift legal action in protecting children from such predatory behaviour.