QUEDGELEY PAEDOPHILE STEPHEN DOWDESWELL SENTENCED TO 26 YEARS FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE CASES

In a case that has shocked the local community and sent ripples through the judicial system, Stephen Dowdeswell, a 57-year-old resident of Merlin Drive in Quedgeley, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 26 years for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children and a woman. The Gloucester Crown Court heard how Dowdeswell admitted to committing a total of 27 separate offences, which spanned over three decades, from 1982 up until last year.

His crimes included multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, sexual touching, and the possession of indecent images. The victims included two young girls and a woman whom he had abused when she was a child. These disturbing revelations only came to light in June of this year, when one of the victims, an eight-year-old girl, confided in her childminder about the abuse she had endured.

Following her disclosure, police launched an investigation that uncovered a horrifying pattern of abuse. Officers discovered videos recorded by Dowdeswell himself, which depicted him raping and abusing two of the victims. The footage was described by Judge Jamie Tabor QC as “the most chilling pieces of film I have ever seen anywhere,” highlighting the severity and depravity of the crimes.

During the sentencing, Judge Tabor addressed Dowdeswell directly, stating, “I have been in the criminal courts for 35 years and inevitably judges become hardened to such behaviour. But I can say without hesitation that I have never come across such a degree of depravity.”

Prosecutor Lisa Hennessy detailed how the eight-year-old victim confided in her childminder on June 7 this year, which led to the police investigation. The inquiry revealed that Dowdeswell had also raped a three-year-old girl and had assaulted a woman during her childhood. All three victims had been threatened by Dowdeswell to keep their abuse secret, with one victim’s mother being threatened with death if she told anyone.

In addition to the videos, authorities found approximately 3,000 indecent images of children stored on Dowdeswell’s computer, further illustrating the extent of his offending. The defense, represented by Lloyd Jenkins, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “He is under no illusion and knows through me that he is looking at a life sentence. He tells me he knew this day was going to come. It has caught up with him now.”

Ultimately, the judge imposed a sentence for public protection, which means that even after serving half of his 26-year term, Dowdeswell will only be eligible for release on licence if the parole board determines he is no longer a danger to children. This ruling underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety in the Quedgeley area.