TERENCE FOWLER FROM OFFLEY JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN HERTFORDSHIRE

In October 2010, a disturbing incident unfolded in the quiet village of Offley, Hertfordshire, involving a 67-year-old man named Terence Fowler. Fowler, a resident of Offley, was convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl after luring her into a situation under the pretense of picking bluebells. The case drew significant attention from the local community, which was initially supportive of Fowler, with villagers even organizing a petition in his favor.

However, the truth of the matter was revealed during the trial at Luton Crown Court. It was established that Fowler had engaged in inappropriate conduct with the girl, who was only 13 years old at the time. The incident occurred on May 8 of the previous year, after the girl had returned home from school. According to court proceedings, Fowler approached her while she was in a somber mood and suggested they go out to pick bluebells together. During this interaction, Fowler made inappropriate comments about her appearance, calling her pretty, and then proceeded to fondle her before attempting to get on top of her.

The young girl managed to resist and stop the assault. She later confided in a friend about what had happened, which led to Fowler’s arrest. The case was brought to trial in August, where a jury found Fowler guilty of one charge of sexual activity with a child under 16. Despite his initial denial of the offence, Fowler eventually admitted guilt after being convicted.

Judge Jeffrey Burke QC addressed the court, describing Fowler’s actions as out of character but emphasizing that he took advantage of the girl’s youth and naivety. The judge remarked, “You were carried away by lechery and acted in a way that was plainly out of character. You took advantage of her young age and naivety.” He also noted the unpleasantness of Fowler’s decision to deny the charges and force the girl to give evidence, adding, “An unpleasant feature is that you pleaded not guilty and made her give evidence.”

Judge Burke acknowledged Fowler’s remorse, stating, “I accept that you feel shame and that this has been a black cloud over your family for a long time.” Ultimately, Fowler was sentenced to 14 months in prison for his actions.

During the trial, Geoffrey Birch, Fowler’s defense lawyer, highlighted Fowler’s reputation within the community, describing him as a well-respected and active member of Offley. Birch expressed confusion over Fowler’s actions, calling them an aberration and impulsive, and suggested that such behavior was highly unlikely to recur. Despite the community’s initial support, the court’s verdict underscored the seriousness of Fowler’s misconduct and the need for justice in this case.