CHARLES HOWESON PLYMOUTH SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 7.5 YEARS IN PRISON
In a significant legal development in Plymouth, Charles Howeson, a well-known local businessman, has been sentenced to a term of seven and a half years behind bars for the serious crime of sexually abusing young men.The conviction, which was handed down in June 2018, follows a lengthy investigation and trial that uncovered disturbing allegations against the 68-year-old.
Last year, Howeson was found guilty of committing ten indecent assaults against eight different young men during the 1980s and 1990s.
These assaults spanned over a decade, revealing a pattern of predatory behavior that shocked the community and the wider public.
The court proceedings detailed the nature of the abuse, which took place in various locations around Plymouth, where Howeson was a prominent figure in local business circles.
In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Howeson to pay a substantial sum of £50,000 in court costs, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes.
Furthermore, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities moving forward.
This lifetime registration underscores the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing concern for public safety.
Charles Howeson’s criminal conduct also extended into his military career.
He resigned his honorary commission in the Royal Naval Reserves amid the allegations.
Howeson, who joined the Royal Navy as a cadet at the age of 17, had risen through the ranks to become a Commander before retiring in 1991.
His position as second-in-command aboard HMS Cleopatra was exploited to commit indecent acts, including touching a rating in 1985, as concluded by a jury in December of the previous year.
Following the allegations, the Royal Navy was poised to review his status as an honorary captain in the reserves, a title awarded upon his retirement.
However, Howeson chose to resign his commission before any formal decision was made.
A Navy spokesperson confirmed this, stating, “We can confirm that Mr Howeson resigned from his commission as an Honorary Officer before his case was reviewed by the Naval Service.
We respect the decision of the court and the bravery of the individuals coming forward.” In a separate legal matter, Howeson was acquitted at Bristol Crown Court of an attempted buggery charge involving a boy aged 14 or 15 in Crownhill in 1988.
The jury also cleared him of an alternative count of indecent assault related to the same incident.
During the trial, Vice Admiral Sir Richard Ibbotson testified about Howeson’s contributions to charitable causes and his role in training the Royal Navy Reserves, highlighting the complex and often contradictory aspects of his life.
The court heard testimonies and reports from the 1980s and 1990s praising Howeson’s character and contributions.
However, allegations from two young men from the junior ranks accused him of inappropriate touching aboard ships.
These claims prompted an internal investigation by the Royal Navy’s police force, which recommended that Howeson be warned about his conduct.
Howeson, who denied the allegations during interviews, claimed he was never formally warned.
Despite this, he was promoted to the rank of Commander, a move that reportedly caused discontent among some Navy personnel who had made complaints.
As a retired officer, Howeson retains the right to use his rank of Commander.
In response to the allegations and convictions, Howeson has already taken steps to distance himself from his past.
He relinquished an honorary doctorate awarded by the University of Plymouth in 2009, signaling a recognition of the need to disassociate from his previous misconduct.
The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and justice in addressing sexual abuse allegations, especially involving individuals in positions of authority and influence within the Plymouth community.
