JEREMY DOWLING SHOCKS BUDE WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE AT CHURCH AND SCHOOL

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Bude, Jeremy Dowling, a man once revered as a church preacher and a trusted figure within the local religious and educational circles, has been convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse spanning several decades.

Dowling, aged 78 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a boy he met during his time at St Michaels Church in Budehaven. The court heard that the abuse took place between 1973 and 1977, when the victim was just 10 years old. The assault was part of a series of heinous acts that Dowling committed over a four-year period, during which he exploited the trust placed in him by a young boy seeking guidance and support at his local church.

The court proceedings revealed that Dowling had a history of abusing boys, which he admitted last year. His criminal record includes a previous seven-year prison sentence for similar offences committed during his career as a teacher in the 1960s. The recent conviction adds an additional eight years to his sentence, which is to be served consecutively, bringing his total incarceration time to fifteen years. Judge Simon Carr emphasized the gravity of Dowling’s actions, stating, “The boy looked up to you. He attended church for help and guidance and what he found was you. He looked to you as a role model. He enjoyed your company. But you abused him over a period of four years, from the age of 10. You enjoyed not only the sexual gratification, but also the risk.”

According to the judge, Dowling’s previous sentence from last year will be combined with the current one, meaning he will serve a total of fifteen years in prison before being eligible for parole, which will not be granted until he has served at least half of that time.

The victim, now a man in his 50s, came forward after reading news reports about Dowling’s earlier court case. His allegations prompted a police investigation, which ultimately led to his conviction. During the trial, the jury—comprising seven women and five men—deliberated for just over two hours before reaching a unanimous guilty verdict. The court also heard that Dowling’s wife, Daphne, claimed she had no memory of the boy ever visiting their home, despite the victim’s testimony that he stayed overnight there during the abuse.

Legal proceedings also included the withdrawal of two additional charges of gross indecency, which Dowling denied. The case was further complicated by the fact that some potential witnesses had either passed away or could not be located, and changes in television and media coverage over the years had affected the investigation.

Judge Carr addressed the jury regarding the delay in the victim’s reporting, explaining that trauma manifests differently in each individual. “There is no uniform way that people complain about offences. Some run screaming from the room. Others wait years, or even decades. Don’t make assumptions,” he said.

Dowling’s involvement in the church extended beyond his role as a lay preacher at St Michael’s Church in Budehaven and later at St Gennys Church in Crackington Haven. He also served as the official spokesman for the Diocese of Truro for nearly twenty years before retiring in 2009.

Earlier, in July 2015, Dowling, then 77, was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to abusing five children over a period spanning from 1959 to 1971. The abuse occurred during various settings, including cricket matches, in attics, storage rooms, and even on a train. The investigation was initiated after five former pupils came forward with allegations, revealing that the abuse had taken place during his tenure as a teacher in Cornwall. Despite an earlier investigation in 1972, no charges were filed at that time, partly due to parental reluctance and concerns over publicity. Dowling resigned from his teaching position, and the case was left unresolved until new evidence emerged over four decades later.

In June 2015, further details emerged when Dowling, of Church Path in Bude, pleaded guilty to thirteen counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. The court heard that the assaults involved boys aged between 12 and 15, with incidents occurring at sporting events, in toilets, and in storage rooms at a sporting pavilion. The Bishop of Truro, the Right Reverend Tim Thornton, publicly condemned Dowling’s actions, describing them as “deeply shocking,” and expressed his sympathies to the victims. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults within the church community, stating that the church’s policies are now informed by the voices and experiences of survivors, and that justice being served is a crucial step in healing.

Throughout his career, Dowling was a well-known figure in Bude, recognized as a reader at St Michael’s and St Genny’s Churches, as well as a member of the Diocesan and General Synods. His criminal actions have cast a long shadow over his reputation and have caused lasting damage to the lives of his victims, who now grapple with the aftermath of his betrayal of trust.