FORMBY SCOUT MASTER GAVIN OWEN JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENS AND POSSESSING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community of Formby, Gavin Owen, a long-standing volunteer at a Crosby scout group, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage boys. The crimes, which took place over a period of time, involved grooming, manipulation, and assault, revealing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior by Owen.

Owen, aged 38, had dedicated over ten years of service to the scout group in Crosby, Merseyside, earning a reputation as a trusted figure among young scouts and their families. However, beneath this facade, he engaged in heinous acts that culminated in his conviction. The court heard that Owen had invited the victims to his home on separate occasions, where he exploited their trust and vulnerability.

The first victim, a 17-year-old boy at the time, was subjected to grooming over an extended period. Prosecutors detailed how Owen had given him whiskey—specifically Jack Daniels—on multiple occasions, which the boy drank willingly, becoming noticeably intoxicated. Owen then invited the boy to a sleepover, during which he forced him into sexual activity. The court was told that the boy, feeling embarrassed and scared, did not initially disclose what had happened, but Owen was aware that the victim did not consent to the assault.

The second incident involved an 18-year-old friend of the first victim. Owen had invited him to his home for lunch and later upstairs to view his sound system. On a hot day, Owen claimed to have a fan in his room, and the young man, feeling relaxed, fell asleep on Owen’s bed. He awoke to find Owen molesting him. The victim later confided in the first boy, who then revealed the incident to his mother, prompting police involvement.

During the trial, the court also uncovered disturbing evidence of Owen’s possession of thousands of indecent images of children. In December 2013, police raided his residence in Formby after receiving information that he had purchased illegal DVDs from a Canadian website. Seized from his home were his laptop and hard drives, which contained a staggering 940 Category A images—the most serious classification—along with 2,315 Category B images and a further 10,707 Category C images, the least serious. These images included a particularly sickening picture of a baby girl.

Owen, an electrician by profession, admitted to possessing these images and DVDs, which included some of the most depraved content. His home was searched following the police investigation, which was initiated after the authorities traced the DVDs’ source to an online Canadian retailer.

Throughout the four-day trial, Owen maintained that the sexual encounters with the boys were consensual, a claim that the jury rejected. Prosecutor Charlotte Atherton emphasized the vulnerability of the first victim, highlighting how Owen had groomed him over a long period and deliberately intoxicated him to facilitate the assault. She described the second victim’s experience as equally troubling, noting that Owen’s actions had caused significant psychological harm.

Victims of Owen’s abuse reported suffering from depression, flashbacks, and a loss of self-esteem. One of the boys described the experience as deeply traumatic, with lasting emotional scars. The court heard that Owen had no previous convictions, which initially may have contributed to a perception of him as a trustworthy individual.

Defense lawyer Jeremy Rawson argued that Owen was a man of previously good character and expressed remorse for his actions, claiming that the case had devastated him and his family. However, Judge Denis Watson, QC, was unpersuaded by these pleas. He criticized Owen for his denial of wrongdoing and his attempt to portray the incidents as consensual, describing this as an attempt to manipulate the court.

Judge Watson condemned Owen’s attitude, noting that he had been warned in the past about appropriate behavior but showed no remorse. He described Owen’s conduct as bordering on arrogance, suggesting that he believed the rules did not apply to him. The judge sentenced Owen to four and a half years in prison, handed him an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and ordered him to register as a sex offender. Owen’s actions and attitude demonstrated a troubling lack of regard for the harm caused to his victims.

Following his conviction, Owen was suspended by the Scout Association, which took swift action once the allegations surfaced in August. The case has highlighted the importance of safeguarding measures within youth organizations and the devastating impact of abuse by trusted community members. The community of Formby and Crosby continues to grapple with the revelations, and authorities remain committed to ensuring justice and preventing similar incidents in the future.