BRIAN LOWE GROOMS AUTISTIC SCHOOLBOY IN EDGBASTON: UNDERCOVER POLICE EXPOSE CRIMES

In a disturbing case that unfolded in Birmingham, a convicted sex offender named Brian Lowe, aged 52 and residing on Gillot Road in Edgbaston, has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison for grooming a vulnerable young boy with autism. The incident came to light after undercover police officers set a trap on social media, revealing Lowe’s sinister intentions and manipulative behavior.

Over a span of six weeks, Lowe engaged in a series of sexually explicit exchanges with what he believed was a 13-year-old boy. In reality, the profile he was communicating with was operated by undercover officers. Lowe’s messages included inappropriate and suggestive content, which ultimately led to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

The court heard that two officers had created fake Facebook profiles—one representing an adult and the other a child—to monitor and catch predators like Lowe. The defendant initially interacted with the adult profile before establishing contact with the child, who was called Simon. During their conversations, Lowe was told that Simon was attending school, had autism, and was only 13 years old. Lowe’s responses were calculated and manipulative, as he advised Simon to be cautious, instructed him on how to keep their conversations secret, and even sent a photograph of himself dressed in cycling shorts.

Further into their exchanges, Lowe made references to taking Simon into wooded areas and suggested the possibility of meeting in person. He also mentioned locations familiar to the boy, such as the Smethwick canal and Sandwell Park, and encouraged him to visit a gay pornography website, indicating a clear intent to exploit the boy’s vulnerabilities.

Prosecutor Miss Sharon Bahia highlighted that Lowe had previously been subject to a sexual harm prevention order since 2009, following his conviction on six counts of possessing indecent images. Despite this, Lowe had repeatedly breached the order over the course of more than a decade. His breaches included having contact with a single mother and her son, as well as using a camera in ways that violated the restrictions imposed on him.

Judge Richard Bond, presiding over the case at Birmingham Crown Court, sentenced Lowe to two years and ten months in prison. In his remarks, the judge described Lowe as a highly manipulative individual who had kept his past offenses hidden from others, including the woman he met and the mother of the boy he targeted. The judge emphasized the seriousness and persistence of Lowe’s breaches over many years.

Addressing the Facebook grooming case specifically, Judge Bond stated, “You believed you were having discussions with a 13-year-old boy with autism. You targeted a particularly vulnerable child. Looking at the flow of text messages going backwards and forwards on Facebook, it is quite plain you were grooming Simon from the beginning.” The court’s verdict underscores the grave nature of Lowe’s actions and the ongoing threat posed by individuals who exploit social media platforms to prey on children, especially those with special needs.