TREVOR OWEN'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN BLANDFORD: CHILD MURDERER'S PAROLE BID SPARKS OUTRAGE

In November 2006, a wave of outrage swept through the community of Blandford as news emerged that Trevor Owen, the man responsible for the brutal murder of nine-year-old Tiffany Hoiles, was being considered for parole after serving just 18 years of his sentence.

Trevor Owen, who was 50 years old at the time, had previously resided on Barnes Close in Blandford. His heinous crime took place in 1988 when he targeted Tiffany at the Milldown adventure playground, a popular spot among local children during the summer holidays.

According to court proceedings, Owen had spent days observing children in the playground before he seized his opportunity to abduct Tiffany. The Royal Courts of Justice revealed that Owen subjected the young girl to unimaginable cruelty, stabbing her 94 times with scissors and delivering a vicious kick to her head, which ultimately caused her death. After the attack, Owen concealed Tiffany’s body in nearby undergrowth, attempting to hide his gruesome deed.

Forensic evidence played a crucial role in his arrest. Experts matched fibers from Tiffany’s clothing to Owen’s, and they also found that his clothing was covered in ivy hair from plants at the crime scene. Witnesses in the community reported seeing Owen watching children at the playground on multiple occasions during the summer holidays, raising suspicions about his predatory behavior.

Owen was convicted of Tiffany’s murder at Winchester Crown Court in April 1989. Despite his conviction, he has maintained his innocence, a stance that continues to be upheld by his legal representatives. The case was reviewed by Mr Justice Davis, who emphasized the severity of the crime and the need for justice.

During the review, Mr Justice Davis mandated that Owen must serve a minimum of 21 years in prison before he can apply for parole. This ruling means that, considering time already served on remand, Owen would be eligible to seek parole in late 2009. The judge underscored that Owen’s crime was a “ghastly sadistic murder of a young child,” and that his actions demanded a tariff well above the usual standards for such offenses.

The community’s pain was echoed by Tiffany’s father, Mike Hoiles, who expressed his horror at the possibility of Owen’s early release. In a statement to the Echo in 2000, Mr. Hoiles said, “That would devastate me to be honest, if he had been released. I have nothing but hatred and contempt for him.”

Further back in Owen’s criminal history, it was revealed that he had previously attacked a girl of the same age at the same location, threatening her with the words, “if you scream I’ll kill you.” Although he was convicted of another assault in 1986, that conviction was later quashed on appeal due to the victim’s emotional state preventing her from giving evidence.

Despite some mental limitations, Owen was described by the court as “obviously a most dangerous man,” with the judge noting his “cunning and native intelligence.” The court also acknowledged his “commendable” behavior in prison but emphasized that his continued denial of guilt indicated a lack of true remorse.

Legal arguments from Owen’s defense requesting a reduced tariff of 14 years were dismissed as “wholly unrealistic,” with Mr Justice Davis stating, “This was a ghastly sadistic murder of a young child.” The court concluded that Owen’s crime was one that required a tariff for “retribution and deterrence” well above the norm.

Owen’s release would only be possible if he convincingly demonstrated to the parole board that he no longer posed a danger to society. Even if released, he would remain on “life licence,” subject to recall if he committed further offenses, as the court made clear.