KEVAN HOWARD AND SHOCKING STALKING AT BOLTON COURT
Kevan Howard, a 52-year-old man from Bolton, found himself at the centre of a serious legal case after being convicted of breaching a court order through relentless and obsessive stalking directed at a teenage girl.Howard, who was placed on the sex offenders register a decade ago for engaging in sexual activity with a child, continued to pose a threat despite his prior conviction.
His actions not only involved inappropriate behaviour but also breaches of court-mandated restrictions designed to prevent further offences.
The court proceedings revealed that Howard had carried out a disturbing campaign of harassment and intimidation over a period of seven weeks, beginning in December 2021.
The victim, a teenage girl, described feeling frightened and distressed due to Howard’s persistent efforts to contact her.
The prosecuting attorney, Michael Goldwater, detailed the extent of Howard’s conduct, emphasizing how his behaviour was both obsessive and unsettling.
"Not surprisingly, she found him strange and knew what was happening was wrong," Mr.
Goldwater explained.
He further added, "It was persistent and it caused a significant amount of distress to her." According to the court, Howard had repeatedly sent messages asking the girl if she wanted to meet up or go out for drinks.
The messages grew increasingly invasive, with Howard requesting photos of her and at one point asking her to meet him in a graveyard accompanied by his dogs.
The girl, feeling unsafe, took steps to block his number and informed her parents about his unwanted attention.
Despite this, Howard’s actions persisted, and he was ultimately convicted of stalking following a trial in the magistrates’ court.
Howard’s criminal record is extensive, with 16 previous convictions spanning a total of 38 offences.
His prior conviction, linked to his listing on the sex offenders register, stems from a guilty plea in 2013 for sexual activity with a minor.
This history underscores the seriousness of his current violations.
In addition to the stalking, Howard admitted to breaching two conditions of his sexual harm prevention order, which was issued to restrict his contact with minors.
The court heard how Howard’s victim endured significant emotional distress, with Mr.
Goldwater describing her feelings of fear and worry that Howard might act on his obsession.
Although a second girl related to Howard did not report any improper behaviour, Howard was found guilty of breaching the court order by allowing her to stay overnight at his residence.
Prosecutors pointed out that this was not an isolated incident but part of a persistent pattern over a long period.
In his defence, solicitor Kevin Lister acknowledged the distress caused but noted that there was no violence involved in Howard’s actions.
He argued that Howard had demonstrated stability in his personal life, including stable accommodation and a work ethic, suggesting that he could be safely managed within the community rather than face immediate imprisonment.
Nevertheless, presiding Judge Eliot Knopf made it clear that Howard’s actions had severe consequences for his victim.
Fully describing the impact of the stalking, Judge Knopf underscored that Howard’s behaviour was profoundly damaging and had visibly affected the young girl.
He stated, "The effect of your offending on that young girl has been graphically described.
No one can be in any doubt, least of all you, as to the consequences of your persistent pestering and obsession." Concluding the case, Judge Knopf sentenced Kevin Howard to a total of 14 months in prison, emphasizing the need for accountability and the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from such distressing misconduct.
