ROBERT VOWLES FROM SOUTHWICK SENTENCED AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HOVE

In a disturbing case that unfolded in the seaside town of Hove, Robert Vowles, aged 38 and residing in Southwick, was found guilty of serious sexual misconduct involving a minor. The incident, which took place on November 16, 2014, has shocked the local community and brought to light troubling behavior by a man in a position of authority.

Vowles, who was managing a removals company at the time, had invited an 18-year-old employee to assist him with a job in Hove. During the course of their journey, Vowles revealed personal details about his sexuality, openly stating that he was gay and expressing a desire for the employee to participate in a sexual activity involving a 15-year-old boy. This revelation was part of a calculated attempt to persuade the worker to join in a threesome, a request that the employee refused.

Subsequently, Vowles devised a further scheme by asking his employee to bring lunch to his flat located on Shirley Street in Hove. The employee, following the boss’s instructions, entered the flat and unexpectedly walked in on Vowles engaged in sexual activity with the underage boy. When the employee declined to participate or further engage, Vowles’s behavior escalated as he put his hands down his trousers in an inappropriate manner. The employee, distressed and uncomfortable, quickly fled the scene.

It was only two years later that the victim came forward to report the incident. During the court proceedings, he made it clear that he had not consented to any physical contact or sexual advances made by Vowles. The case was brought before Lewes Crown Court, where Vowles faced multiple charges. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault, but the jury acquitted him of one charge and convicted him of the other, specifically for touching.

Judge Charles Kemp, presiding over the case, acknowledged the gravity of the offense. He stated that the seriousness of the crime could have warranted a prison sentence of up to 24 months. Despite this, Vowles was sentenced to 24 months in prison, but the sentence was suspended for two years. The judge explained that this decision was made because Vowles’s support network, including health professionals, might be disrupted if he were incarcerated.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Vowles was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community service. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and subjected to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order. This order imposes strict restrictions on his access to children and the use of computers. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Vowles had used online platforms such as Grindr and Craigslist to meet young-looking boys, raising further concerns about his conduct and potential risks to the community.