OWEN WATT BRADFORD PASTOR SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRL
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bradford, Owen Watt, a 40-year-old street preacher and leader of the religious group Faith Ministries based in Leeds, has been sentenced to prison for the sexual abuse of a young girl.The court proceedings, held at Bradford Crown Court, revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned over eight years, during which Watt exploited the trust of the girl, whose identity remains protected by law.
Judge Scott Wolstenholme delivered a stern judgment, condemning Watt for his gross betrayal of the girl’s innocence.
The judge emphasized that Watt had deliberately manipulated and abused the child's trust in the most heinous manner, causing her significant emotional trauma.
Watt was convicted of three separate offences related to the abuse, which included ordering the girl to rub oil on him when she was just seven years old, and later, indecently assaulting her on two additional occasions when she was in her early teens.
The jury at Bradford Crown Court reached a majority verdict, finding Watt guilty of one count of gross indecency with a child and two counts of indecent assault.
Prior to sentencing, Watt had been remanded in custody, and the court heard that he had a prior conviction for causing actual bodily harm to a former partner, along with other offences such as theft and road traffic violations.
These previous convictions painted a troubling picture of Watt’s criminal history.
During the hearing, prosecutor Stephen Wood recounted that the girl confided in a relative about the abuse, which led her mother to confront Watt.
He admitted to her that he had indeed abused the girl.
However, when police arrested Watt in June 2005 and questioned him, he denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence.
Watt’s background includes a family rooted in religious service, as he is the son of a church minister, and he is married, with his wife present in court during the proceedings.
Judge Wolstenholme described Watt’s actions as driven by his own sexual gratification, which inflicted confusion and shame upon the young victim.
The judge stated that Watt’s offenses were serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence, and he emphasized the importance of protecting the public from individuals like Watt.
Although the girl claimed that Watt continued to abuse her into her teenage years, no convictions related to those alleged incidents were made.
Watt was sentenced to two years in prison, but the judge extended the sentence to four years, with an additional two years of supervised release upon his release.
The court warned Watt that any breach of supervision could result in his return to jail.
Furthermore, Watt was prohibited from working with children and was ordered to register as a sex offender for the next ten years.
Watt’s legal representative, Steven Utley, expressed that Watt maintained his innocence despite the conviction.
Mr.
Utley acknowledged that prison was inevitable and highlighted the impact of the sentence on Watt’s wife, who had already sold his belongings to support the family.
He also revealed that Watt had been experiencing suicidal thoughts following his arrest but was now receiving support from his family and was beginning to feel more optimistic.
Following the sentencing, the girl’s mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described her daughter as being deeply traumatized and in need of professional counseling.
She condemned Watt as a danger to young girls, recounting how he had put a ring on her finger and told her, “You’re mine,” illustrating the manipulative control he exerted over her.
The girl’s aunt also expressed her belief that Watt was suffering from some form of psychosis, criticizing his ability to hide his true character behind his religious facade.
Watt is known for his active role in Faith Ministries, which he claims is led by divine guidance.
His website states that he has been arrested 13 times for preaching and has spent time in jail for his faith.
The site, titled Signs and Wonders on British Streets, boasts of miraculous healings attributed to their ministry, including claims of a boy in Bradford being cured of cross-eyes through prayer and public healings in various towns across the region.
Despite these claims, Watt’s criminal actions have cast a dark shadow over his religious activities and the community’s trust.
