SHAUN HOWSER'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN SAMPFORD PEVERELL AND TIVERTON REVEALED

In October 2011, a disturbing case unfolded involving Shaun Howser, a man with a long history of sexual offenses, who was ultimately sentenced for his heinous crimes against a teenage boy. The incident took place in Tiverton, but the repercussions and community reactions extended to Sampford Peverell, where Howser and his partner had previously resided.

Concerns about the safety of local children and the presence of known sex offenders in the community had been raised years earlier. During the 1990s, Mark and Shaun Howser moved into a flat in Sampford Peverell, prompting a wave of anxiety among parents and residents. A campaign was launched by worried neighbors who demanded that the authorities relocate the pair, fearing the potential threat they posed. Despite their convictions as sex offenders, both men insisted they had reformed and sought to live peacefully.

One local mother expressed her dismay, stating, "We presume our children are secure and safe in their own environment and do not expect this sort of threat in our midst." Another resident added, "I know these people have got to live somewhere, but a small closely-knit community like Sampford Peverell, where everybody knows each other, is not the right place." The older of the two, Mark Howser, claimed they were being persecuted and asked the community to respect their privacy, asserting they wanted to live undisturbed.

However, the peace was shattered when Shaun Howser, now aged 45, was convicted of multiple sexual offenses involving a teenage boy. The Exeter Crown Court heard that Howser had molested the boy while living in Tiverton, with the abuse continuing into the following year after he had moved to Sampford Peverell. The victim, who finally found the courage to speak out, revealed the details of his ordeal, leading to Howser's arrest and subsequent sentencing.

Howser pleaded guilty to six counts of gross indecency involving the teenage boy. His criminal history is extensive, with convictions dating back to 1988 and spanning until 2004, all involving teenage boys. In addition to the recent conviction, Howser was serving a 10-year prison sentence at Whatton Prison in Nottinghamshire for abusing another boy, an incident in which he threatened the victim with a Stanley knife.

At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Graham Cottle sentenced Howser to three years in prison for the recent offenses. The judge clarified that this sentence would run concurrently with his existing sentence, meaning Howser could be released in approximately three years. Nonetheless, upon release, he will be subject to supervision by the Probation Service to monitor his behavior and prevent further offenses.

The case sparked significant community concern, especially considering Howser's history and the fact that he was housed in a residential area near families. Just two months after moving into the flat in Richmond Close, Sampford Peverell, residents and parents organized meetings to address their fears. They emphasized that they did not condone any form of intimidation or violence against the neighbors, but their primary concern was the safety of their children.

Following the case, new guidelines were introduced regarding the housing of sex offenders. The Mid Devon District Council's housing department acknowledged that they had been unaware of the backgrounds of Howser and his partner when they assigned them to a property near families. Mark Howser, speaking to the Gazette at the time, claimed that Shaun had served his time and wished to lead an ordinary life, adding, "It was fine when we lived in Tiverton." The community's reaction, however, remained one of apprehension and concern for the safety of local residents.