HENRY GOWDY FROM BRANSTON AND ILKESTON JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING CHILDREN IN BURTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Burton, a well-known cake maker has been sentenced to prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses involving a young girl under the age of 13. The individual, identified as Henry Gowdy, who was previously associated with Branston and more recently residing in Ilkeston, was convicted of multiple counts related to child sexual abuse and possession of extreme pornography.

Gowdy, aged 61, gained local notoriety through his bakery business, HK Celebrations, which was based at Burton Market Hall. His reputation in the town was well-established until the allegations surfaced. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gowdy had committed at least five separate sexual assaults on the young girl, who was under 13 at the time. Additionally, he encouraged her to send nude photographs of herself, a disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation that spanned over several years.

The court heard that Gowdy appeared at Stafford Crown Court dressed in a white shirt and a blue tie for his sentencing. He showed no visible reaction as the prosecution detailed the extent of his misconduct. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of inciting a girl into sexual activity, and one count of possessing extreme pornography. The prosecution, led by Raj Punia, emphasized the significant age difference between Gowdy and his young victim, noting that he was approximately 50 years her senior.

According to court reports, the young girl confided in her mother that Gowdy had touched her inappropriately. Her mother promptly contacted the police, leading to Gowdy’s arrest. During police interviews, Gowdy claimed to be 'flattered' that the girl had taken an interest in him, a statement that further highlighted the disturbing nature of his actions. The police investigation uncovered digital devices containing explicit material, including an extreme pornographic image depicting a woman and a horse, which was seized from Gowdy’s residence.

Gowdy’s business operations had already ceased by 2016, citing health issues as the reason for closing HK Celebrations. The bakery’s closure coincided with his arrest, which took place at his home address on February 1, 2016. The court was informed that the contact between Gowdy and the girl began around September 2015 through text messages. What started as accidental exchanges quickly escalated, with Gowdy requesting explicit images from the girl and instructing her on how to pose for photographs. The girl sent approximately five images, and Gowdy responded by sending indecent images of himself.

The court was also told that Gowdy’s actions were eventually discovered by the girl’s mother, who became suspicious of the nature of their communication. This led to Gowdy’s arrest and the subsequent seizure of electronic devices. The investigation revealed that Gowdy had engaged in grooming behavior over a relatively short period, which the judge noted as a significant factor in assessing his risk to the public.

During sentencing, Justice Geraldine Andrew acknowledged Gowdy’s guilty plea and the pattern of offending. She highlighted that although Gowdy claimed remorse and had no prior convictions, his actions demonstrated a clear pattern of grooming and exploitation for sexual gratification. The judge also pointed out that Gowdy’s age and lack of previous criminal behavior suggested he was not considered dangerous at the time of sentencing.

As a result, Gowdy was sentenced to six years in prison for the sexual offenses, with an additional six months to be served concurrently for possession of extreme pornography. Furthermore, he was placed under a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. Gowdy’s current residence is in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, but his previous address was in Branston, reflecting his long-standing ties to the local area. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the devastating impact of child exploitation.