STEVEN BOWDEN FROM NEW FOREST ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL IN HYTHE

In a case that has shocked the local community, Steven Bowden, a businessman from the New Forest area, was found in possession of over 1,700 indecent images of children. Despite the severity of the charges, Bowden narrowly avoided imprisonment after a court heard about his personal circumstances and the emotional distress he was experiencing at the time.

According to court reports, Bowden, aged 60, owns a bespoke joinery company and was living in Hythe when police conducted a search of his residence in July 2022. The investigation was prompted by suspicions that led officers to scrutinize his property and belongings. During the course of the investigation, authorities also visited Bowden’s office located in Salisbury, where he was found to have a computer hard drive containing illicit images. In a moment of panic, Bowden destroyed the hard drive by smashing it and subsequently disposing of it in a nearby river, an act that was described by the prosecution as impulsive and driven by distress.

Prosecutor Rod Blain detailed that Bowden’s home, valued at approximately £900,000, was thoroughly searched, revealing the extent of his possession of illegal material. The images included 145 of the most serious Category A type, which depict the worst forms of child abuse. Bowden admitted that he had accessed these images while sorting through the estate of a deceased family member, which he claimed was the reason for his initial access. He explained that he received the computer from a family member and was aware that the content was inappropriate, but he did not report it to authorities at the time.

During the court proceedings, Bowden’s defense attorney, James Bull, described his client’s actions as impulsive, emphasizing that the destruction of the hard drive was a spontaneous act driven by panic rather than premeditation. Bowden acknowledged that he should have reported the images to the police but instead chose to view the content, which he now recognizes as a grave mistake.

The court also heard that Bowden’s personal life was under significant strain due to his wife Heather’s health. She was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, and her unwavering support for him was noted by the judge. The presiding judge, Christopher Parker, acknowledged the seriousness of the hard drive’s destruction but also considered the mitigating circumstances, particularly Bowden’s family situation.

In sentencing, Judge Parker handed Bowden an 18-month prison sentence, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, Bowden was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service, pay £1,000 in prosecution costs, and participate in rehabilitation programs. A sexual harm prevention order was also issued, restricting Bowden’s activities for the next ten years to prevent any future offenses.

Overall, the case highlights the complex interplay between personal distress and criminal behavior, with the court recognizing Bowden’s remorse and the impact of his wife’s illness as factors in the sentencing decision.