RODNEY BARLOW SENTENCED IN WALCOT FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD BOY

In May 2004, Rodney Barlow, a 31-year-old man from Walcot, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after a court found him guilty of engaging in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. The court also mandated that Barlow register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, following his admission to multiple criminal offenses.

According to court proceedings, Barlow, who is a father of two, met the teenage boy earlier that year through a mutual acquaintance connected to Barlow’s family. The relationship, which was kept secret at first, eventually came to light when the teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, confided in his family about the inappropriate conduct. The teenager, who was 15 at the time of the incidents and is now 16, disclosed to his aunt that he had been subjected to a series of sexual acts by Barlow and expressed feelings of distress, stating, “I am going to have a break-down.”

Following this revelation, the matter was reported to the police. During police interviews, the teenager explained that he had met Barlow in January of that year through a mutual friend. When Barlow was initially questioned, he denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the teenager had found him attractive and that he found the idea of homosexual acts repulsive. However, Barlow later admitted to engaging in some sexual acts with the boy. Under emotional distress, he confessed to police that he had participated in full sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Barlow explained that the teenager had persistently pressured him into having sex, and afterward, he felt “dirty and ashamed” of his actions, expressing remorse.

Barlow, residing on Buckhurst Crescent in Walcot, pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault and one count of serious sexual assault. His defense attorney, Mike Pulsford, argued that the teenager had made it clear to Barlow that he was openly gay and had sent multiple text messages inviting Barlow to engage in a sexual relationship. Pulsford emphasized that there was no grooming involved in the case, asserting that Barlow was distressed at the time of arrest and felt he had lost everything. He suggested that Barlow would benefit more from attending a sex offenders’ course rather than serving a lengthy jail sentence.

However, Judge Tom Longbotham, presiding over the case at Swindon Crown Court, emphasized the importance of considering the vulnerability of the young victim. The judge stated, “The court has to consider the context in which the offences were committed. The context of these offences seems to me to be this: a boy of 15 who was, it appears, vulnerable. Courts have to take into account the vulnerability of young people; they have to take into account any element of moral corruption.”

In addition to the 18-month prison term, Judge Longbotham extended the sentence by two years on license, meaning Barlow will be subject to supervision for that period. Furthermore, Barlow was prohibited from working with children in the future, reflecting the court’s concern for public safety and the protection of minors.