OWEN FROUDE FROM ABINGDON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING A 14-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN OXFORD

In April 2014, a disturbing case unfolded involving Owen Froude, a 23-year-old man from Gainsborough Green, Abingdon, who was brought before Oxford Crown Court to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor. The proceedings revealed that Froude had engaged in inappropriate and illegal activities with a young girl, beginning when she was only 13 years old and continuing until she had turned 14.

According to the court's findings, Froude had a known awareness of the girl’s age. Prosecutor Ian Hope detailed that Froude had received twelve explicit photographs of the girl on his mobile phone, some of which were described as “very graphic.” The case further disclosed that Froude persistently “pestered” the girl until she ultimately engaged in sexual activity with him. It is noteworthy that the Crown Prosecution Service has since accepted that the sexual encounter was consensual, although the circumstances surrounding the relationship remain deeply troubling.

During the court hearing, it was reported that the girl was left visibly upset and tearful after the incident. She experienced emotional distress, including feelings of stress and anxiety about going out in public following the events. The case also revealed that within a short span of two weeks, Froude had moved on to pursue another girl, exhibiting what the prosecution described as “grooming behaviour,” which indicates a pattern of manipulative conduct aimed at vulnerable minors.

Froude’s defense, represented by Piers Marquis, challenged the portrayal of his client as a predatory individual. Marquis emphasized that Froude was a “vulnerable individual” with a literacy level comparable to that of a seven-year-old. He argued that the case involved “an entirely inappropriate sexual relationship” rather than predatory behavior, asserting that Froude now deeply regrets his actions and described his remorse as a “moment of madness.”

Furthermore, Marquis highlighted that Froude had a history of depression and had received mental health treatment. He also pointed out that Froude’s family had suffered retaliatory attacks, including graffiti spray-painted on their car and their home being targeted, as a consequence of the case.

Judge Gordon Risius acknowledged the defendant’s mental health issues but emphasized that these did not absolve him of responsibility. The judge noted that Froude owned a “powerful” BMW, which seemed inconsistent with the claim of diminished responsibility. Addressing Froude directly, the judge stated, “I do not consider that your difficulties justify treating you as barely responsible for your conduct in this case. You told the author of the pre-sentence report that you knew the girl was under 16 and your behaviour was a moment of madness.”

As a result of his conviction, Owen Froude was sentenced to three years in prison. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual offences prevention order and ordered to pay a £120 victims’ surcharge, reflecting the court’s efforts to prevent future harm and to acknowledge the seriousness of his actions.