EVENWOOD SEX OFFENDER THOMAS COWBURN BUSTED FOR BREACHING RESTRICTIONS AND POSSESSING BONDAGE GEAR

In a disturbing case that has shocked the small community of Evenwood, County Durham, Thomas Cowburn, a known sex offender, was found to have violated the strict conditions imposed upon him by authorities. The incident unfolded when police officers conducted a routine visit to Cowburn’s residence, only to uncover a cache of illicit items and evidence of ongoing illegal activity that highlighted his obsession with bondage and child exploitation.

During the police search, officers discovered a carrier bag containing various bondage-related items, including a length of rope, a gag, and a set of handcuffs. In addition, they found a teddy bear that had been bound with tape, further illustrating Cowburn’s disturbing fixation. The presence of these items raised immediate concerns about his mental state and potential risk to children.

Further investigation revealed a hidden mobile phone concealed behind a bath panel in Cowburn’s home. This device was not only concealed but also provided crucial evidence of his continued access to the internet, despite a court-imposed restriction. When examined, the phone’s cache revealed that Cowburn had used it to access the internet to view images of children being bound, and alarmingly, he had done so within just thirty minutes of the police raid on March 7.

Prosecutor Christine Egerton explained that Cowburn’s actions constituted a clear breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) that had been placed on him. The order, issued in May 2010, explicitly prohibited him from possessing a mobile phone capable of internet access and from viewing images of children under 18. Cowburn’s breach of this order was considered a serious violation of court restrictions.

In a detailed police interview, Cowburn admitted to having an “obsession” with bondage. He also confessed to setting up a Facebook account under a false name, where he portrayed himself as a young person to communicate with children. To support this deception, he used a picture of a boy as his profile image. Further revelations indicated that Cowburn had created a total of fifteen additional Facebook accounts, all claiming to be boys aged between six and eleven, with the apparent aim of engaging with children online.

Historical records show that Cowburn, now 26, had previously been sentenced to two years in prison in May 2007 after admitting to charges of detaining children without lawful authority and common assault. His criminal history also includes a recall to prison for using the internet to access websites related to child torture, which underscores the severity of his offending behavior.

Despite his prior convictions, Cowburn was subject to a Sopo that explicitly banned him from using a mobile phone to access the internet or viewing images of children. However, his recent actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for these restrictions, leading to multiple charges of breaching the order and making indecent photographs of a child.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Mark Styles described Cowburn’s sexual interests as “more voyeuristic,” emphasizing his solitary lifestyle and obsession with such material. The case was brought before Durham Crown Court, where Recorder Paul Watson expressed grave concerns about Cowburn’s potential to reoffend if released into the community. He stated that Cowburn could only be considered for release once the Parole Board deemed it safe, and he ordered that Cowburn must wait at least two years before applying for parole.

In light of the evidence and the risk posed, Cowburn was sentenced to an indeterminate period for public protection, reflecting the serious nature of his violations and the threat he continues to pose to society.