CHIPPENHAM AND SWINDON SEX OFFENDERS ARTHUR BOWDITCH AND SON SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Chippenham and Swindon, two men, Arthur William Bowditch and his son, Arthur Stephen Bowditch, have been brought to justice after a long history of heinous sexual abuse against young girls. The crimes, which spanned over several years, involved the rape and assault of girls as young as three years old, leaving lasting scars on their victims.

One of the most disturbing accounts involves a girl who was only three when she was raped by 73-year-old Arthur William Bowditch senior. The assault was so severe that she required surgical intervention to repair the extensive damage caused. The court heard that Bowditch senior also sexually assaulted another girl using a rough wooden object, further highlighting the brutality of his crimes. The victims' testimonies revealed the profound emotional and physical toll inflicted upon them, with many suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and even attempting suicide as a result of their abuse.

Meanwhile, Bowditch's son, Arthur Stephen Bowditch, now aged 54, also faced charges related to child sexual abuse. His crimes took place near the west Wales coast, where one girl, during her assault, cried out for help. However, her step-father, who was nearby, did not hear her screams because of the noise from grass-cutting machinery. The court was told that Stephen Bowditch had previously been convicted in 1989 for indecent assaults on a girl under 14, indicating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Both men appeared in Swansea Crown Court for sentencing, having been convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault in the 1980s and 1990s. The court heard harrowing statements from the victims, who described how the abuse had robbed them of their childhoods and left deep psychological scars. One victim expressed her resilience, stating she was now a survivor and that facing her abuser was her way of reclaiming control over her life. Another victim shared how she was initially dismissed and called a liar when she first reported the abuse, a reflection of the challenges faced by victims in seeking justice.

Arthur William Bowditch, who currently resides on Selby Crescent in Swindon, Wiltshire, was notably absent from an earlier sentencing hearing after failing to appear at Swindon railway station, despite being dropped off there by his wife. Detectives later discovered that Bowditch had mistakenly boarded the wrong train, traveling to Bristol instead of Swansea. There, he engaged with people on the street before falling into the harbor. He was subsequently arrested early the next morning by Wiltshire Police and taken into custody.

Judge Huw Rees addressed the court, emphasizing the devastating impact of the abuse on the victims. He described their statements as