ERIK ROWLANDS FROM HOLYHEAD SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD SEXUAL ABUSE ON SCHOOLBOY

In a case that has spanned decades and brought to light the dark consequences of long-ago abuse, Eric Rowlands, a former cadet instructor from Holyhead, was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a schoolboy nearly 40 years ago. The incident, which took place during Rowlands' time as a volunteer officer with the sea cadets in Holyhead, has finally been brought to justice after a lengthy investigation and court proceedings.

Rowlands, aged 65 at the time of sentencing, had previously denied six charges of indecent assault involving two boys who were members of the sea cadets. However, in June, the court found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault on one of the boys, who was a child at the time but is now in his late 40s. The offences reportedly occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s, during the period when Rowlands was actively involved with the cadet program in Holyhead.

The court heard that the allegations of sexual misconduct emerged following meetings of the cadets, leading to a police investigation. The victim, who chose to give evidence from behind a screen due to the emotional nature of his testimony, broke down in tears as he recounted how the abuse had profoundly affected his life. He described how, as a young boy, he was subjected to inappropriate touching by Rowlands, which he described as an act of taking his innocence for the offender’s own sexual gratification.

The emotional testimony revealed the devastating impact the abuse had on his mental health. The victim explained that he experienced a significant change in his outlook on life, turning to heavy drinking at a young age, suffering from depression, engaging in self-harm, and contemplating suicide. He also shared that he eventually sought help from a psychiatrist and found the courage to confide in his family about the abuse, which was a crucial step in his ongoing recovery.

Judge Rhys Rowlands, presiding over the case at Mold Crown Court, sentenced Rowlands to four years in prison. The judge emphasized the long-standing secrecy surrounding the case, stating, “He was a child and you were a grown man at the time. You thought you had got away with it. Now, I am afraid, you will have to account for what was pretty depraved behaviour by you when a much younger man.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Rowlands will be required to register as a sex offender for life and is subject to a lifetime sexual harm prevention order. This order prohibits him from approaching the victim or his family again, ensuring some measure of protection for those affected by his actions. The case highlights the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how much time has passed since the offences occurred.