JONATHAN ROWE, FORMER TEACHER IN BUCKFASTLEIGH, SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ABUSE IN EXETER
An assistant school principal who recorded himself abusing a blindfolded girl has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.Jonathan Rowe, a 49-year-old chemistry teacher, exploited the girl when she was between eight and ten years old.
He pleaded guilty to multiple sex offences, including three counts of rape.
During the sentencing at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, Judge David Evans described Rowe's conduct as "depraved" and noted that he had led a "double life." The court heard that Rowe raped the girl while she was asleep and transferred footage of his assaults onto his school laptop.
He was identified after the victim confided in her mother, revealing that Rowe had blindfolded her and asked her to pose for pictures.
Further investigations uncovered that the mother of a six-year-old girl had previously warned Rowe after finding him playing with her daughter in a beach rock pool while she was half-naked.
Police also discovered a video featuring a 13-year-old girl on a trampoline, where Rowe had focused on her breasts.
Described by authorities as containing "appalling actions," Rowe, of Higher Dean, Buckfastleigh, also admitted to two counts of sexual activity with a child, five counts of taking indecent images of victims, and three counts of downloading indecent images from the internet.
Judge Evans stated: "You clearly have a sexual interest in children.
Sadly, you translated that sexual interest into the actual abuse of this girl." Rowe was sentenced to 11 years in prison, with an additional one-year extended license, and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
He is also banned from entering within 50 meters of any school and from taking photographs or videos of children.
Will Willden, representing Rowe, said that his client regretted his actions and recognized the harm caused.
A spokesperson for the NSPCC commented, "Rowe preyed knowingly on a vulnerable young girl to fulfill his depraved sexual fantasies.
His appalling actions have betrayed the trust placed in him, and it is vital that his victim receives proper support to recover from what has happened."
