TERENCE BOWER FROM MORLEY SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN LEEDS

In a chilling case that has shocked the community, Terence Bower, a 30-year-old man residing on Newlands Drive in Morley, has been sentenced to an indefinite prison term following his conviction for sexually abusing a two-year-old girl. The heinous acts reportedly took place over a period of up to a year, during which Bower subjected the young child to repeated sexual assaults.

According to court proceedings, the incident came to light when the child's father, suspecting drug use, set up a webcam behind the child's cot during a visit to their home in Leeds on January 31 of the previous year. While Bower left the house to go to the upstairs toilet, the father activated the camera and later reviewed the footage, which revealed disturbing images of Bower engaging in sexual acts with the toddler. The footage, which lasted approximately 13 minutes, showed Bower in the bathroom and a bedroom, furtively glancing behind him to ensure he was not being watched.

The horrifying discovery prompted immediate police involvement. The child's family reported the abuse, leading to a thorough investigation. The young girl was taken to St James's Hospital, where medical examinations uncovered injuries consistent with prolonged sexual abuse. Further medical tests revealed that she had contracted a sexually transmitted disease, necessitating urgent treatment and highlighting the severity and duration of the abuse.

During a week-long trial held in September at Leeds Crown Court, a jury found Bower guilty of two counts of child sex assault and one count of attempted child sex assault. The evidence presented was compelling, and the court heard testimony from medical professionals and law enforcement officials detailing the extent of the abuse.

Judge Kerry Macgill, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Bower's crimes. He stated that Bower would serve a minimum of eight years in prison and would only be eligible for release once he was no longer considered a danger to the public. The judge described the crime as 'appalling,' noting that the young victim was unable to communicate or understand what was happening to her, which meant she endured this suffering repeatedly without any means of escape or protection.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Macgill underscored the importance of protecting society from individuals like Bower, whose actions have caused irreparable harm to a vulnerable child and have left a lasting scar on her family and the community at large.