ANDREW BOWEN FROM LINCOLN SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES

In a significant case that has drawn considerable attention in Lincoln, Andrew Bowen, a 50-year-old resident of Bawtry Close, was officially sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in possessing and distributing child abuse images. The sentencing followed a detailed trial at Lincoln Crown Court, which concluded in October of the previous year, where Bowen was found guilty of 23 separate offences linked to the possession and dissemination of indecent images involving minors.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Bowen had openly admitted to downloading and sharing these illicit images over the internet. In his interviews with law enforcement officials, he expressed a controversial belief that his actions should not be considered criminal. This candid admission underscored the dangerous mindset that the court sought to address through his sentencing.

The legal case against Bowen was initiated after police executed a search warrant at his Lincoln residence in February 2012. This initial arrest was followed by a series of subsequent detentions. In July of the same year, Bowen was rearrested when he attended a police station to answer bail, at which point officers discovered a laptop containing additional child abuse images in his possession. His criminal activities did not cease there; in March 2013, Bowen was arrested for a third time after authorities seized a computer from him on Lincoln High Street, which contained further indecent images of children.

Beyond his online activities, Bowen also engaged in disturbing correspondence. He wrote to several prominent figures and organizations across Lincolnshire, advocating for what he termed “freedom of choice for children to have sexual relationships,” a stance that further highlighted his dangerous and misguided beliefs.

Detective Constable Nicole Linn, a member of Lincolnshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Team (ICAT), commented on Bowen’s case, stating, “Bowen is clearly a very dangerous man who has no concept of the deep and lasting impact his crimes have on the children involved in the material he has obtained and distributed. We hope this sentence demonstrates the work of the ICAT team and the Hi Tech Crime Unit and sends out a clear message that offenders will be pursued and brought to justice.”

Following his conviction, Bowen is expected to serve an additional four years on licence after completing his prison term. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 13 at Lincoln Crown Court, where the court will determine further details of his punishment and any additional measures to protect the community from his actions.