MARK DOWSON'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN REDCAR AND SALTBURN: A DISTURBING TALE OF DECEPTION AND SEXUAL OFFENSES

In a series of disturbing incidents spanning over several years, Mark Dowson, a man from Redcar and Saltburn, has been at the center of serious criminal allegations involving child exploitation and deception. The gravity of his actions has prompted multiple court proceedings, revealing a pattern of manipulative behavior and blatant disregard for legal restrictions.

In September 2017, Dowson was found in Saltburn with children present in his home during a police surprise visit. The police had been alerted to his location, but Dowson had falsely claimed to an officer that he was “10 minutes away,” a lie that did not prevent the officers from discovering children in his residence. This incident was particularly alarming given Dowson’s prior conviction for sexual offenses and his status as a registered sex offender.

Previously, Dowson, aged 38 at the time, had been sentenced in August of the previous year to a three-year community order after admitting to sending sexually explicit texts to a schoolgirl. The messages included a request for a video of them having sex, with Dowson urging her to keep the communication secret and delete all messages. He wrote: “Keep it between us. Delete all messages and get here ASAP. I’ve got a car if you want to go for a ride, and we’ll make a video together naked… make it a night to remember.”

During the sentencing, Judge Sean Morris described Dowson’s behavior as “stupid,” emphasizing the inappropriateness of an adult sending such messages to a 15-year-old girl. The judge pointed out the seriousness of the offense, noting, “For goodness sake, you are a grown man.” Dowson had spent ten weeks in custody prior to his sentencing, having pleaded guilty to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Further revelations emerged during a court hearing at Teesside Crown Court, where it was disclosed that Dowson had used the alias “Jonesy” or “Jowsy” to befriend a mother. He admitted to having been in trouble for sending “a couple of texts when he was drunk,” but he did not disclose the full extent of his past. Over a period of four months, Dowson became a regular visitor to the woman’s home, all the while concealing his true identity and his past criminal record. Crucially, he failed to inform her of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that prohibited him from unsupervised contact with girls under 16.

The situation escalated when, on August 16 of that year, police officers discovered two pre-teen children of the woman in Dowson’s home. It was revealed that Dowson had not registered his alias “Jonesy” with the police, a legal requirement for registered sex offenders. He admitted that he used the name to prevent the children from discovering his criminal history online. The mother expressed her distress and regret, stating she felt “stupid” for trusting Dowson.

Dowson faced multiple charges, including two breaches of the SHPO, failure to comply with sex offender notification requirements, and possession of cannabis. Judge Stephen Ashurst described Dowson’s actions as “worrying,” highlighting his deliberate deception to hide his identity and his high risk of re-offending. The judge emphasized the importance of police intervention, noting that it was fortunate officers physically checked on Dowson’s whereabouts, uncovering his violations.

As a result, Dowson was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to adhere to a new SHPO and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for the next ten years. His criminal record and the court’s findings underscore the ongoing threat he poses to the community, especially to vulnerable minors.

Earlier, in June 2016, Dowson’s pattern of predatory behavior was also evident. He sent a series of text messages to a 15-year-old girl, asking her to make an indecent video with him. The girl, shocked by the explicit messages, showed her mother, who then confronted Dowson at his Redcar home. The mother, upon discovering Dowson intoxicated and attempting to send more messages, seized his phone and handed it over to the police. Prosecutor Paul Abrahams detailed that Dowson had sent two texts and made several calls that day, including messages like “Keep it between us. Delete all messages and get here ASAP. Can’t wait to see your face when you see what I’ve got for you, kiss,” and an invitation to make a video together.

The girl was visibly upset, and her mother’s intervention led to Dowson’s arrest. The police regarded his behavior as grooming, and an application was made for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to prevent further contact with girls under 16. Dowson’s criminal history included 28 offenses since the 1990s, none of which involved sexual crimes until these recent incidents.

During the court proceedings, Dowson’s defense highlighted references from family members, including his brother, attempting to mitigate his actions. However, Judge Shaun Morris expressed concern about the potential risk Dowson posed and emphasized the importance of protecting young girls from future harm. Dowson, who had been in custody since his arrest, was remanded to await sentencing, with the court warning that immediate custody was still a possibility. He ultimately admitted to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and was scheduled for sentencing at a later date, with the court maintaining a firm stance on his dangerousness and the need for strict supervision.