KIERAN BOWERS FROM ELLESMERE SHROPSHIRE SENTENCED FOR WEB PREDATION ON 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has drawn significant attention, Kieran James Bowers, a young man from near Ellesmere in Shropshire, was convicted of serious online predatory behavior involving a 13-year-old girl. The incident, which unfolded over several months, involved Bowers engaging in manipulative and exploitative communication with the minor through various social media platforms, including Twitter.

Initially, Bowers, who was 20 years old at the time, was sentenced to four years in prison at Truro Crown Court in May. His crimes included possessing indecent images of children and encouraging a minor to participate in sexual activities. However, the case was later brought before London's Court of Appeal, where Bowers challenged the length of his sentence.

During the appeal hearing, Bowers argued that his sentence was excessively harsh. The court, comprising Mrs. Justice McGowan, Lord Justice Hamblen, and Judge Michael Topolski QC, agreed to reduce his prison term to three years. The judges acknowledged that Bowers had shown remorse since his arrest and that he had avoided the trauma of a trial by pleading guilty.

Details of the case revealed that Bowers had conducted online research to locate the school attended by his young victim and the area where she resided in Ellesmere. This information was used to tailor his approach, making his contact appear more personal and convincing. According to Mrs. Justice McGowan, Bowers falsely claimed to be 16 and told the girl he knew her from primary school, which was untrue.

Over the course of their online interactions, Bowers sent numerous messages designed to gain her trust. The communication escalated to exchanging explicit texts, with Bowers sending obscene photographs of himself and persuading the girl to send similar images in return. He also manipulated her into performing obscene acts on camera and sent her a photograph of her in her school uniform, further exploiting her vulnerability.

The girl eventually told Bowers to stop, but he responded with derogatory remarks, calling her “pathetic – and not worth it.” Her mother, upon discovering the disturbing messages and images, contacted the police. A subsequent search of Bowers’ computer uncovered a cache of indecent images and communications.

Mrs. Justice McGowan highlighted that the online contact persisted for several months, with approximately 1,700 messages exchanged. Despite the severity of his actions, the court noted that Bowers had demonstrated genuine remorse and that he was still a young man at the time of the offenses. His guilty plea also spared the victim from the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

In light of these factors, the court decided to reduce Bowers’ sentence from four to three years, reflecting a balance between the seriousness of his crimes and his remorse and cooperation.