DAMON BOWER, FORMER COUNCILLOR IN SWINDON, SPARED JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES
| Red Rose Database
Southsea Rapist
Damon Bower, a former councillor from Swindon who once served as vice-chairman of Haydon Wick Parish Council, was given a community order instead of prison after admitting to downloading and possessing indecent images of children. The 49-year-old was found to have a short film on his iPhone depicting a girl aged between eight and ten being sexually assaulted, along with additional indecent images and fantasy stories involving child abuse.
Colin Meeke, prosecuting at Swindon Crown Court, explained that police officers arrived at Bower’s north Swindon residence last June following a tip-off that someone there had uploaded harmful material online. However, no evidence supported that claim during their visit. During the investigation, detectives discovered on Bower’s mobile phone a short video categorized as the most serious type, another less severe clip, and six other images in lower categories. Additionally, although not charged with distributing images, they found fantasy stories discussing child abuse on his devices.
Mr. Meeke stated, "Once these were examined, the defendant was interviewed. He admitted that he knew what indecent images of children were. He accepted that he was the account holder and he said that he was vehemently opposed to child pornography because someone he knew had been raped at a young age and he would never let anyone hurt children. He admitted to indulging in fantasy chat about child sex abuse. He could not remember exactly how he received the images, but he believed it was through private messages. He recognized it was wrong and apologized."
Bower, formerly of Oakhurst and now residing in Southsea, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Defence lawyer Emma Handslip noted that probation officers assessed him as posing a low risk of reoffending. Since his arrest, Bower has not had access to his children, lost his job, and separated from his partner. He has also been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and reportedly made a suicide attempt.
Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Bower to a three-year community order, explaining, "It needs to be clear, if it isn't already, that this is the course I am taking as an alternative to immediate custody." He emphasized that police had recovered only a relatively small number of images and that probation authorities believe Bower can be managed and rehabilitated in the community.
As part of his rehabilitation, Bower is required to attend a sex offenders’ programme, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activities, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order.
Bower’s political career included serving as a parish councillor from 2015 until he stepped down in July 2018. During his tenure, he was vice-chairman and later chairman of the planning committee. He publicly supported local initiatives, such as the 2016 revamp of children’s play areas, and in 2017, expressed enthusiasm for improved broadband, welcoming the installation of new cables following a residents' campaign.
He also publicly criticized police response to gang violence in Haydon Wick, questioning police effectiveness amidst residents patrolling streets out of concern. Parish chairman Linda Brown stated, "At no point in carrying out his parish duties had Damon reason to be alone with children. He gave us no cause for concern during his time as councillor."
The NSPCC welcomed the sentence, with a spokesperson from the southwest commenting, "The children in these abhorrent images and videos are victims of abuse and may have suffered greatly in order for them to be created."
Colin Meeke, prosecuting at Swindon Crown Court, explained that police officers arrived at Bower’s north Swindon residence last June following a tip-off that someone there had uploaded harmful material online. However, no evidence supported that claim during their visit. During the investigation, detectives discovered on Bower’s mobile phone a short video categorized as the most serious type, another less severe clip, and six other images in lower categories. Additionally, although not charged with distributing images, they found fantasy stories discussing child abuse on his devices.
Mr. Meeke stated, "Once these were examined, the defendant was interviewed. He admitted that he knew what indecent images of children were. He accepted that he was the account holder and he said that he was vehemently opposed to child pornography because someone he knew had been raped at a young age and he would never let anyone hurt children. He admitted to indulging in fantasy chat about child sex abuse. He could not remember exactly how he received the images, but he believed it was through private messages. He recognized it was wrong and apologized."
Bower, formerly of Oakhurst and now residing in Southsea, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children. Defence lawyer Emma Handslip noted that probation officers assessed him as posing a low risk of reoffending. Since his arrest, Bower has not had access to his children, lost his job, and separated from his partner. He has also been sectioned under the Mental Health Act and reportedly made a suicide attempt.
Judge Peter Crabtree sentenced Bower to a three-year community order, explaining, "It needs to be clear, if it isn't already, that this is the course I am taking as an alternative to immediate custody." He emphasized that police had recovered only a relatively small number of images and that probation authorities believe Bower can be managed and rehabilitated in the community.
As part of his rehabilitation, Bower is required to attend a sex offenders’ programme, complete 100 hours of unpaid work, undertake 15 days of rehabilitation activities, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order.
Bower’s political career included serving as a parish councillor from 2015 until he stepped down in July 2018. During his tenure, he was vice-chairman and later chairman of the planning committee. He publicly supported local initiatives, such as the 2016 revamp of children’s play areas, and in 2017, expressed enthusiasm for improved broadband, welcoming the installation of new cables following a residents' campaign.
He also publicly criticized police response to gang violence in Haydon Wick, questioning police effectiveness amidst residents patrolling streets out of concern. Parish chairman Linda Brown stated, "At no point in carrying out his parish duties had Damon reason to be alone with children. He gave us no cause for concern during his time as councillor."
The NSPCC welcomed the sentence, with a spokesperson from the southwest commenting, "The children in these abhorrent images and videos are victims of abuse and may have suffered greatly in order for them to be created."