STANFORD-LE-HOPE CSI KEVIN DOWLEY JAILED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS INVOLVING TATTOO FETISH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stanford-le-Hope and the wider Thurrock area, Kevin Dowley, a 62-year-old Crime Scene Investigator, has been sentenced to prison following his conviction for sexually assaulting two women. The incidents, which occurred during his professional visits and at a police station, revealed a troubling pattern of misconduct driven by what Dowley himself described as a 'tattoo fetish.'

Dowley's crimes came to light after a two-week trial at Basildon Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault by touching. The court heard that Dowley targeted women who were already vulnerable due to their circumstances, exploiting their trust and the situations they found themselves in.

The first assault took place in July 2016 and involved a woman who had been a victim of a burglary. She was described as vulnerable and struggling with drug addiction. During a visit to her home, Dowley made a joke about her hot pants before commenting on her tattoo. Prosecutor Emma Nash explained that Dowley openly admitted to having a tattoo fetish, which appeared to influence his inappropriate behavior.

Further details emerged during the trial, revealing that on a subsequent visit, Dowley approached the woman in her bedroom. He ran his palm along her dungarees, making contact with her skin, and then reached inside her clothing to her pubic area without her consent. The woman, distressed and attempting to push him away, told him to leave. Despite her protests, Dowley returned after she reported another burglary, continuing his inappropriate conduct.

The second incident involved a pregnant woman who was a victim of domestic violence. This took place at Grays police station, where Dowley pulled down her tights and attempted to kiss her while photographing her injuries. The woman testified that Dowley made her feel 'disgusting' as he inquired about her tattoo and removed her leggings without permission to see it fully. She also stated that he tried to kiss her on the cheek, further violating her personal boundaries.

Essex Police's Assistant Chief Constable Nick Downing expressed his condemnation of Dowley's actions, praising the bravery of the victims for coming forward. He acknowledged the immense difficulty they faced in reliving their experiences during court proceedings and emphasized the importance of justice in restoring their trust. Downing highlighted that Dowley, as a Crime Scene Investigator, was in a position of trust that he egregiously betrayed, abusing his role to commit these acts.

In addition to his prison sentence, Dowley was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for the same period, and ordered to pay £2,000 in court costs. A misconduct hearing held on October 4 concluded with Dowley's dismissal from the police force without notice, after being found guilty of gross misconduct.

This case underscores the importance of accountability within law enforcement and the devastating impact of breaches of trust by those sworn to serve and protect. The community of Stanford-le-Hope and Thurrock can now hope for some measure of closure, knowing that justice has been served in this troubling case.