DAVID ROWLINSON'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN RUNCORN: SCHOOLGIRL ABUSED AND CONTROLLED
In November 2020, a disturbing case of sexual abuse and manipulation involving David Rowlinson, a 45-year-old lorry driver from Runcorn, came to light, revealing a pattern of grooming and exploitation of a young schoolgirl.The incident was uncovered after a vigilant parent noticed the girl in Rowlinson’s Ford Focus near her school in Runcorn, and observed her displaying overly affectionate behavior, raising suspicions of inappropriate conduct.
Concerned, the parent alerted authorities, prompting police surveillance of the girl and Rowlinson.
During this period, officers observed the girl sitting beside Rowlinson in his vehicle.
When approached by law enforcement, the girl claimed she was experiencing personal issues and was confiding in him, asserting that he was trying to help her.
Prosecutor Arthur Gibson explained to Liverpool Crown Court that the police investigation revealed the girl’s mother had discovered her daughter had been meeting with Rowlinson for approximately six months.
In response, the mother sent Rowlinson a message pretending to be her daughter, warning him not to go near the school due to suspicions.
Rowlinson responded with a message containing a picture of a note from someone else advising him not to meet the girl outside school.
When the mother inquired if anything had happened, the girl admitted, “He controls me, Mum.” The court heard that Rowlinson, exploiting her vulnerability, would send her images of his clothes folded by a wall, accompanied by messages implying he would take his own life if she had a boyfriend, thus exerting emotional control over her.
Following his arrest, police interviewed the girl, who was visibly distressed and tearful as she gradually disclosed the extent and nature of the abuse.
Her revelations included details of abuse occurring in various locations, such as in Rowlinson’s car, his bed, at Spike Island, a Premier Inn hotel, a wooded area, and even outside her school.
The court was informed that Rowlinson had begun grooming the girl while she was dealing with personal problems, initially presenting himself as a confidant during hours-long conversations on Facebook.
Over time, he asked her intrusive questions about her virginity and whether she had engaged in sexual activities, claiming he loved her and initiating sexual abuse by asking her to go upstairs and try it, later discarding a condom.
It was established that the abuse was ongoing, occurring regularly and sometimes outside school premises.
Despite his initial arrest and subsequent bail, Rowlinson remained silent during police interviews, refusing to comment.
However, the abuse persisted until he was re-arrested, which resulted in his remand in custody.
On December 6 of the previous year, Rowlinson pleaded guilty to 17 counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, relating to at least 30 separate incidents spanning over a year, including after his initial arrest.
The victim’s mother delivered a powerful impact statement, condemning Rowlinson for grooming her daughter during a vulnerable period and for “taking (the victim’s) childhood and innocence from her,” asserting, “you broke her.” The girl herself read her own statement to the court, expressing feelings of guilt and confusion, and describing how the revelations had affected her family.
She shared that she now understands that she was not at fault and detailed the lasting trauma she endures, including flashbacks, nightmares, sleepwalking, and anxiety triggered by seeing cars resembling Rowlinson’s.
She revealed that Rowlinson had attempted to persuade her to minimize the effects of the abuse to reduce his sentence.
In her statement, she expressed her pain, saying, “I was abused by an adult who made me think they cared more about me than they did.” She described how her innocence was stolen and how memories of Rowlinson continue to haunt her like a “dark shadow.” Despite the trauma, she expressed a desire to turn her experience into something positive, stating, “I don’t want David’s abuse to define me for the rest of my life.” Defense lawyer Michael Scholes highlighted that Rowlinson had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, demonstrating remorse and a desire to prevent further suffering for his victim.
He acknowledged that Rowlinson, a man with a significant level of education, accepted full responsibility for his actions and deserved punishment.
Scholes emphasized that human lives are complex and that Rowlinson’s behavior was not purely predatory, suggesting that his offending had effectively destroyed his own life.
Judge Anil Murray, presiding over the case, addressed the court, noting the significant age disparity and the manipulative tactics used by Rowlinson.
He stated, “She said you controlled her.
You said that if she ended the relationship as you encouraged her to view it, you would take your own life.
You admitted you threatened your own life as a way to keep her in the relationship.
At one stage, you were arrested and continued the abuse.” Judge Murray further remarked on the lasting impact of the abuse, noting that the girl suffered from nightmares and that Rowlinson had told her to downplay the effects to reduce his sentence.
He concluded that Rowlinson had stolen part of her childhood.
The judge sentenced Rowlinson to eight years in prison, a reduction from the 12-year sentence that would have been imposed had he gone to trial, due to his guilty pleas.
Additionally, Rowlinson was ordered to be subject to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders register for life, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses.
