STEVE HOWSE FROM PARK SOUTH SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN SWINDON

In a case that has shocked the local community of Park South, Steven Howse, a 34-year-old man, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing and distributing indecent images of children. The disturbing case came to light following a police raid on his residence in Swindon in November 2004, which uncovered a significant collection of illicit material stored on his computer.

During the police investigation, officers seized multiple items including his computer, several compact discs, and other storage devices. When questioned, Howse admitted to the presence of indecent images on his machine, claiming they had been placed there without his wife’s knowledge. He also confessed to using a file-sharing program to exchange these images with other individuals over the internet, with the last such activity occurring just days before his arrest.

Despite the evidence, Howse maintained that he did not derive any sexual arousal from the images or the act of possessing them. Prosecutor Richard Thomas told Swindon Crown Court that police found evidence of Howse discussing the sexual exploitation of young children, including conversations where he asked questions like, "How young do you like them?" and "How young is your youngest victim?" These exchanges indicated a disturbing interest in the age of potential victims.

Howse, who resides on Leighton Avenue in Park South, pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent images of children, two counts of distribution, and one count of possession. During the trial, his defense lawyer, Mike Pulsford, argued that his client did not see himself as a danger to children. Pulsford emphasized that Howse did not gain sexual gratification from the images he possessed or distributed, which he claimed was done among a small circle of like-minded individuals interested in child pornography.

Furthermore, the defense highlighted the personal toll the case had taken on Howse, noting that he had lost his marriage and contact with his young daughter. They also pointed out that a jail sentence could jeopardize his employment. However, the court was told that Howse showed little remorse for his actions and appeared to be in denial about his sexual attraction to young girls.

Judge Tom Longbotham, presiding over the case, referenced a pre-sentence report from the probation service which indicated that Howse rationalized his offending behavior. The judge expressed concern over his apparent denial and assessed him as a high risk of harm to children. As part of his sentence, Howse was ordered to serve 16 months in prison, followed by a two-year extended license period aimed at facilitating his participation in a sex offenders’ rehabilitation program upon release.

Additionally, the court imposed a ban on him working with children and mandated that he register as a sex offender, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.