LEE BOWDITCH FROM NEWARK SENTENCED IN LEICESTER FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Newark community and beyond, former Nottinghamshire Police officer Lee Bowditch, aged 49, was brought before Leicester Crown Court to face serious allegations related to child sex offences. The proceedings took place on Tuesday, March 12, and culminated in Bowditch receiving an eight-month jail sentence, which was suspended for two years, reflecting the gravity of his admitted crimes.

Bowditch pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, a charge that underscores the disturbing nature of his actions. Additionally, he admitted to attempting to engage a minor in sexual communication on two separate occasions, charges that he had previously denied but ultimately confessed to during the court hearing. The case revealed that Bowditch, who was a former police officer based in Newark, engaged in illicit online activities that involved contact with someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

The incident that led to his arrest occurred in April 2018, when Bowditch initiated contact with an individual on a private chat room of a dating website. During this interaction, he sent an indecent image of himself along with messages of a sexual nature, actions that are considered serious criminal offences. Following his arrest, Bowditch was immediately suspended from duty, and he subsequently retired from the police force in October 2018.

Legal proceedings included a special case hearing, during which Chief Constable Craig Guildford, acting as the chairman, found Bowditch guilty of gross misconduct. The hearing concluded that if Bowditch had still been an active officer at the time, he would have faced dismissal from the force. As part of the court's ruling, Bowditch was also placed on the barred list, which prevents dismissed officers from working within policing or other law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, he was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was registered on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Prior to the March sentencing, Bowditch's criminal activities had been addressed in earlier proceedings. On February 13, 2019, he appeared at Leicester Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to similar charges, including making indecent images of children and attempting to engage a minor in sexual communication. His arrest and subsequent guilty plea marked a significant step in addressing the misconduct of a former officer who once served in Newark.

In January 2019, Bowditch had also admitted to making indecent images of children during a hearing at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, further highlighting the pattern of his criminal behavior. The court scheduled his sentencing for February 15, 2019, where he was expected to face the consequences of his actions in full.

Throughout these proceedings, the case has underscored the importance of accountability within law enforcement and the ongoing efforts to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The community in Newark and the wider region continues to grapple with the implications of Bowditch’s crimes, which have cast a long shadow over the reputation of the police force and the safety of vulnerable minors.