HOWARD ANDREWS SHOCKS TIVERTON AND TWINEHAM WITH SEX ABUSE SCANDAL
| Red Rose Database
Tiverton Twineham Rapist
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Tiverton and Twineham, Howard Andrews, a 45-year-old man with a history of working in outdoor pursuits and adventure activities, has been sentenced to three years in prison for multiple sexual offenses committed against minors. Andrews, who was formerly based in Tiverton and later resided on Church Lane in Twineham, was found guilty of abusing three young girls and two boys over a span of more than a decade.
During his trial at Exeter Crown Court, Andrews was acquitted of ten additional sex-related charges, but the jury convicted him on eight counts. The judge, Mr. Justice John Neligan, emphasized the severity of the breach of trust involved in the crimes, stating, “Because of the gross breach of trust there has to be an immediate custodial sentence.” He further explained that the victims, all minors under his care at various times, had expressed feelings of trust and respect towards Andrews, which makes his betrayal even more egregious.
Andrews’s criminal activities took place during his employment at a residential outdoor activities school he managed. He faced a total of 18 charges, spanning from 1985 to 1998, with the court ultimately convicting him of eight. Notably, he was found not guilty of four indecent assault charges and one serious sexual assault involving a 13-year-old boy at a Sussex-based outdoor education facility where he worked.
He was convicted of one indecent assault on a different 13-year-old boy at the same Sussex school but was acquitted of four other charges related to that incident. The jury also found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl at the school. Moving to Tiverton in the late 1980s, Andrews took charge of Marlin Leisure, a company that organized camping trips for young people. During this period, he was convicted of two counts of indecent assault on an eight-year-old girl during a camping trip to Swanage in Dorset. He was also acquitted of raping a 15-year-old girl in a tent during another Dorset camping expedition.
In the early 1990s, Andrews relocated to Surrey, where he continued his work with Marlin Leisure and an adventure club. During this time, he was convicted of two charges of indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy during a walking holiday in the South West and another charge of indecency with a child. Later, he worked at a school in Surrey, participating in Duke of Edinburgh Awards activities. Although he was acquitted of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a camping trip to Switzerland, he was convicted of a similar offense involving another 16-year-old girl on the same trip.
Throughout the trial, defense counsel Sarah Munro QC highlighted Andrews’s reputation, stating, “Over many years, he has been respected and held in great affection by hundreds, if not thousands of young people. Even those who gave evidence against him spoke of him in that way. They were not totally hoodwinked by an evil man. He has lived a blameless life for the last 10 years.”
Detective Constable Alison Berry described Andrews’s actions as “classic grooming,” emphasizing his manipulative nature. She explained, “He was a very manipulative man. He beguiled them and gained their trust. That is what makes it even more devastating for them. Most of them were vulnerable and craved love and affection.” Berry also praised the bravery of the victims, noting, “They relived their ordeals during the trial, and hopefully, these convictions will help them to move on from the terrible events they suffered.”
During his trial at Exeter Crown Court, Andrews was acquitted of ten additional sex-related charges, but the jury convicted him on eight counts. The judge, Mr. Justice John Neligan, emphasized the severity of the breach of trust involved in the crimes, stating, “Because of the gross breach of trust there has to be an immediate custodial sentence.” He further explained that the victims, all minors under his care at various times, had expressed feelings of trust and respect towards Andrews, which makes his betrayal even more egregious.
Andrews’s criminal activities took place during his employment at a residential outdoor activities school he managed. He faced a total of 18 charges, spanning from 1985 to 1998, with the court ultimately convicting him of eight. Notably, he was found not guilty of four indecent assault charges and one serious sexual assault involving a 13-year-old boy at a Sussex-based outdoor education facility where he worked.
He was convicted of one indecent assault on a different 13-year-old boy at the same Sussex school but was acquitted of four other charges related to that incident. The jury also found him guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a 12-year-old girl at the school. Moving to Tiverton in the late 1980s, Andrews took charge of Marlin Leisure, a company that organized camping trips for young people. During this period, he was convicted of two counts of indecent assault on an eight-year-old girl during a camping trip to Swanage in Dorset. He was also acquitted of raping a 15-year-old girl in a tent during another Dorset camping expedition.
In the early 1990s, Andrews relocated to Surrey, where he continued his work with Marlin Leisure and an adventure club. During this time, he was convicted of two charges of indecent assault on a 13-year-old boy during a walking holiday in the South West and another charge of indecency with a child. Later, he worked at a school in Surrey, participating in Duke of Edinburgh Awards activities. Although he was acquitted of indecently assaulting a 16-year-old girl during a camping trip to Switzerland, he was convicted of a similar offense involving another 16-year-old girl on the same trip.
Throughout the trial, defense counsel Sarah Munro QC highlighted Andrews’s reputation, stating, “Over many years, he has been respected and held in great affection by hundreds, if not thousands of young people. Even those who gave evidence against him spoke of him in that way. They were not totally hoodwinked by an evil man. He has lived a blameless life for the last 10 years.”
Detective Constable Alison Berry described Andrews’s actions as “classic grooming,” emphasizing his manipulative nature. She explained, “He was a very manipulative man. He beguiled them and gained their trust. That is what makes it even more devastating for them. Most of them were vulnerable and craved love and affection.” Berry also praised the bravery of the victims, noting, “They relived their ordeals during the trial, and hopefully, these convictions will help them to move on from the terrible events they suffered.”