LYNEHAM MAN MARTIN ROWE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN SWINDON

In January 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Martin Rowe, a former soldier from Lyneham, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a young girl. The incident took place during a visit to a friend’s house in Swindon, where Rowe, aged 44 at the time, exploited the trust of a seven-year-old girl while she was staying with her father, who had recently separated from her mother.

According to court reports, Rowe took advantage of a moment when he was left alone with the child during his visit. Under the guise of casual interaction, he subjected her to repeated sexual abuse. During these assaults, he also took photographs of the girl using his mobile phone, an act that added a layer of horrifying exploitation to his crimes. Rowe explicitly told the young victim not to disclose what was happening, insisting that it was a secret, which is a common tactic used by abusers to silence their victims.

The case was brought to light after the girl confided in her father, revealing that Rowe had entered her room and abused her. Her distress was so severe that her father was physically sick upon hearing her account. He immediately contacted Rowe’s partner to alert her of the situation. The young girl also disclosed her fears and the details of the abuse to her father, which prompted swift action from law enforcement authorities.

Swindon police responded promptly, arresting Rowe and conducting a thorough investigation. During the investigation, officers examined the girl’s bedclothes and interviewed her extensively. They also seized Rowe’s computers and electronic devices. The forensic analysis uncovered hundreds of indecent images of children downloaded from the internet, alongside photographs taken by Rowe himself, some of which depicted the victim. A medical examination confirmed physical injuries consistent with sexual assault, and semen was found on the girl’s underwear, further substantiating the allegations.

Martin Rowe, who resided at St Joseph’s Way, Lyneham, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of sexual assault of a child and six counts of making indecent images of children. His guilty plea was accepted by the court, which sentenced him to eight years in prison. Recorder Robert Pawson, presiding over the case at Swindon Crown Court, emphasized the gravity of Rowe’s actions, highlighting the vulnerability of the young girl and the betrayal of trust involved. He remarked on the emotional toll the abuse must have taken on the victim’s family, especially her mother, who was not present during the incident but would have been devastated upon learning the truth.

In addition to his prison sentence, Rowe was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that will restrict his activities for the next ten years. The court also mandated that he register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the community from further harm.