STUART HOWATSON FROM BEWDLEY AND BISHOPS ITCHINGTON CONVICTED OF POLICE FRAUD AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Bewdley and Bishops Itchington, Stuart Howatson, aged 31, has been found guilty of a series of serious criminal offenses, including impersonating a police officer and possessing indecent images of children. The sequence of events leading to his conviction reveals a disturbing pattern of deception and criminal activity that spanned several years.

Howatson, who at the time of his arrest in October 2008 was residing in Millside Court, Bewdley, had managed to convince friends, family, and even his wife that he was a serving Metropolitan Police officer. He fabricated elaborate stories about his roles within the force, claiming to have been involved in royal protection duties, firearms operations, and dog handling units. His deception extended to his personal life, as he convinced his wife of his police career, and even used his supposed status to explain his long daily commutes to an unspecified workplace.

Remarkably, Howatson went as far as to claim that he was a senior officer on sabbatical leave, a story he used to justify his absence from home. His deception was so convincing that on their wedding day in 2006, he arranged for a place setting for Sir John Stevens, the former Chief Constable of the Metropolitan Police, explaining his absence at the ceremony as due to security concerns. Following their honeymoon at a Spanish villa owned by friends, Howatson attempted to purchase the property for £720,000. He convinced the owners that an inheritance windfall provided him with the necessary funds, allowing him to avoid a mortgage.

However, his financial claims proved to be false. Over the course of two years, he stalled the purchase with bounced checks and various excuses, all while enjoying several free stays at the villa, which was valued at approximately £1200 per week. To support his false financial narrative, Howatson produced fake bank statements showing regular deposits from entities he claimed were associated with the Metropolitan Police and the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA).

In 2007, Howatson further perpetuated his deception by giving a police-themed educational talk at a nursery school where a family friend worked. Dressed in police uniform, he discussed police work with young children and displayed police batons, adding a layer of credibility to his fabricated identity.

His criminal activities came to light when friends grew suspicious and reported their concerns to the Metropolitan Police’s Anti-Corruption Command. This led to his arrest at his home in Millside Court, Bewdley, in October 2008. During a search of his residence, officers uncovered a significant collection of police uniforms, which Howatson later claimed to have purchased on eBay. The investigation also revealed a disturbing cache of indecent images of children stored on his computers, resulting in additional charges and arrests.

Following his arrest, Howatson faced multiple charges. At Worcester Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to several offenses, including possession of police uniforms, possession of an offensive weapon, false accounting, fraud by false representation, and possession and creation of indecent images of children. His sentencing resulted in a prison term of 20 months. The presiding judge described him as “a common trickster and a con man,” emphasizing the seriousness of his fraudulent activities and the harm caused by his possession of child exploitation material.