PATRICK BOWEN JAILED IN DORCHESTER FOR OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND INDECENT IMAGES

In June 2014, Patrick Charles Bowen, aged 55, was sentenced to imprisonment at Dorchester Crown Court for a series of offences related to child abuse and indecent imagery. Bowen was convicted of nine counts of possessing indecent images and three charges of breaching a sexual offences prevention order.

The charges stemmed from a police search warrant executed at Bowen’s residence on Beech Road, Puddletown, on February 10. During the search, authorities seized a tower computer that was found to contain over 250 indecent images.

Prosecutor Heather Shimmen explained that Bowen had been subject to a civil sexual offences prevention order since May 2010. He had also been registered as a sex offender following previous sex offences. Authorities had sought the order to better monitor Bowen’s interactions, particularly because of concerns about his association with several young boys.

While in custody for the indecent images, Bowen requested a conversation with officers and made admissions regarding efforts to seek the company of local children in the months before his arrest. He was specifically banned from such contact by the order.

The offences involved two girls aged 11 and 8, and an 11-year-old boy. Interviews with the children and their parents revealed that all three had visited Bowen’s home. The children described a collection of toys and items intended to entertain children, and Miss Shimmen emphasized that none of the children had reported any inappropriate behaviour.

One parent expressed serious concern, stating they were “worried sick” upon discovering Bowen’s background and that their daughter had spent time with him.

Lee Christmas, representing Bowen, stated: “There is no suggestion that this would have gone any further than contact.” He also noted that Bowen had agreed to the existing sexual offences prevention order and had cooperated with police by making admissions related to the breaches.

Mr. Christmas added that Bowen's previous efforts at treatment had helped him develop “robust barriers” to prevent any physical contact with children.

Judge Roger Jarvis addressed Bowen directly, saying, “Every right-thinking member of society views these offences with horror,” and remarked that Bowen “presents a very worrying picture to the court.”

The judge sentenced Bowen to a total of three years in prison—two years for possessing indecent images and one year for breaching the prevention order—with the sentences to run consecutively. Additionally, Bowen was ordered to comply with a new sexual offences prevention order and to remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.