STEPHEN CROWTHER FROM LISNASKEA CONVICTED OVER INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN IN FERMANAGH

In a case that has shocked the local community of Lisnaskea, a prominent religious figure has been found guilty of possessing indecent images of young boys. The Reverend Stephen Crowther, aged 47, who serves as a Church of Ireland Rector in the area, was subjected to a thorough investigation following a series of police and customs operations.

It was in December 2005 that authorities intercepted a package at the border, which contained a video depicting scenes involving naked boys. This discovery prompted an immediate search of Crowther’s residence, a rectory located on Castle Balfour Road in Lisnaskea. During the raid, law enforcement officials uncovered additional videos and digital files stored on a computer, which were linked to the case.

Following the evidence collection, Crowther was taken into custody and subsequently admitted to police that he was deeply ashamed of his sexuality, describing himself as a homosexual. He expressed the belief that his orientation was morally wrong, which appeared to be a significant factor in his actions. Furthermore, Crowther revealed that he had an interest in naturism, a detail that was scrutinized during the investigation.

As a result of his conviction, Crowther has been placed on the sex offenders register for a period of six years. Additionally, he was fined £2,500 as part of the sentencing. The case has raised concerns within the community about safeguarding and the responsibilities of those in positions of trust, especially within religious institutions. The repercussions of this case continue to resonate in Lisnaskea and the surrounding areas, highlighting the ongoing challenges in addressing such serious crimes.