DAVID HOWIE AND HIS SHOCKING ABUSE IN YORKSHIRE AND BLACKBURN
A man labeled as a 'sexual predator' who relentlessly subjected a nine-year-old girl to abuse within her own home has been sentenced to prison.David Howie, aged 52, received a sentence of six and a half years after a court found him guilty of committing sexual assault on a child under the age of 13, as well as inciting or causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activities.
The courtroom heard distressing details about the young girl, who was between nine and 13 years old at the time of the offenses.
She reportedly felt a sense of relief when she finally confided in her grandmother about the persistent abuse she suffered.
Her revelation came after years of suffering, during which she struggled emotionally and academically, finding it difficult to concentrate in school.
The girl expressed to the court that although the proceedings were difficult, she was glad her allegations were believed by the jury and remained hopeful about her future.
Prosecutor Kristian Cavanagh described how, between 2016 and 2020, David Howie repeatedly entered the girl’s bed at various locations across the Blackburn and Scarborough areas.
During these incidents, he inappropriately touched her legs, bottom, and genital area.
The court also heard that on at least one occasion, the girl stayed at Howie’s residence, where he also engaged in inappropriate contact.
Further disturbing details emerged about their interactions over digital communication.
Between 2018 and 2020, Howie and the girl engaged in video calls in which he asked her to show him her pubic hair and requested her to perform provocative dances.
He also instructed her not to tell her mother that she had seen his genitalia, adding an element of secrecy and manipulation to his abuse.
The girl’s mother expressed her shock and heartbreak at discovering her daughter’s allegations.
She stated that she could not believe what her daughter was saying and was deeply upset that Howie had 'stolen her daughter's innocence.' During mitigation, lawyer Matthew Moore-Taylor highlighted Howie’s health issues, including a diagnosis of prostate cancer, which he claimed would make access to treatment challenging.
He also pointed out that Howie faces mental health struggles and has already experienced significant losses as a consequence of the legal process.
Moore-Taylor emphasized that Howie felt he had reached a point of despair, having lost his family, employment, home, and his freedom.
However, Judge Heather Lloyd expressed a starkly different view.
She stated she did not believe Howie showed any remorse or insight into the gravity of his actions.
She remarked, “You were well loved.
You stayed in the girl’s family home and in the same bed as the girl.
Unbeknownst to the risk of the family, you were a man who became a sexual predator.
You took advantage of the opportunity you had to sexually abuse a girl in her own home.” In a formal sentence at Preston Crown Court, Howie, now residing in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison.
DC Jo Billington, part of Lancashire Police’s East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team (RASSO), responded to the verdict by stating, “David Howie has taken advantage of this young girl to satisfy his own perverted sexual desires and, in doing so, has effectively stolen her innocence.
I want to commend her for having the courage to come forward, disclose what happened, and endure the courtroom process, which required her to relive her abuse.
I hope that this conviction and sentence will inspire other victims of similar abuse to speak up, knowing that we will believe them, investigate their cases professionally and with sensitivity, and do everything possible to bring offenders like Howie to justice.”
