Coventry paedophile, 97, jailed and may die in prison for historic sex abuse of girl, 4

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Coventry paedophile, 97, jailed and may die in prison for historic sex abuse of girl, 4

Postby dutchman » Thu Apr 18, 2019 10:15 pm

An old man is ‘likely to die in prison,’ where he will spend his 100th birthday if he is not freed on compassionate grounds, after being jailed for sexually abusing a little girl

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Christopher Stowe had pleaded not guilty to the offences – before pleading guilty to three charges of indecent assault on the day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court.

Stowe (97) of Brackley Close, Coventry, also admitted a further charge of gross indecency by getting his young victim to touch him indecently.

He was jailed for a total of six years, of which, under normal circumstances, he would be released after serving half, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

But because he was classed as ‘an offender of particular concern,’ it will be up to the Parole Board to decide whether he can be freed at that stage or whether he should serve longer – and he also faces an additional two years on licence.

But Judge Sarah Buckingham pointed out: “The Secretary of State does have the power at any time to release a defendant on compassionate grounds. That is an avenue which may be open to the Secretary of State in your case.”

Prosecutor Peter Cooper said Stowe, having been born on Christmas Day in 1921, was now 97, and the young girl he abused on four occasions in the 1970s is in her 40s.

Mr Cooper pointed out that the maximum sentences at the time for the indecent assaults were five years, and two years for the gross indecency offence.

Two of the indecent assaults would now be classed as assault by penetration, with a maximum sentence of life, while the other two offences carry maximum sentences of 14 years – but the sentences had to be those available at the time.

Jailing Stowe, Judge Buckingham told him: “You would have been in your 50s when this happened, and she would have been three, four or five.

“You said in the police interview you wanted to apologise to her to her face. That apology is far too late. The effect on her has been profound and long-lasting.

“You did express some remorse when you were interviewed, but you did not plead guilty until the day of your trial.

“Of course I have had regard to your extremely mature age, and that there is a very real prospect that you will end your days in custody. But balanced against that is the obvious harm you have caused to her.

“Only a custodial sentence can be justified. Your counsel has submitted it should be suspended. I am afraid some offending, however historic, and however mitigated by your otherwise good conduct, is too serious for that.”

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