RYAN BOWEN FROM TEIGNMOUTH AND PAIGNTON JAILED FOR SEX OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Teignmouth and Paignton, Ryan Bowen, a man with a troubling history of criminal behavior, has been sentenced to five years in prison for serious sexual offenses involving a vulnerable 15-year-old girl. The court heard how Bowen, who was living in Teignmouth at the time of the offenses, exploited the girl’s low self-esteem and manipulated her into a sexual relationship.

According to court records, Bowen, then aged 21 or 22, met the girl while residing in Teignmouth. Despite moving to Paignton later, he continued to maintain contact with her. The incidents took place during 2013 and 2014, when the girl was just 15 years old. Prosecutors described how Bowen used flattery and charm to lure her, telling her she was beautiful and that he found her attractive. This grooming process was aimed at gaining her trust and lowering her defenses, which he then exploited for sexual purposes.

The court was told that Bowen’s interactions with the girl included repeated assaults while giving her lifts in his car. On one disturbing occasion, he made her touch his genitals while he was driving, further demonstrating his predatory behavior. The initial encounter was brief, lasting only a few seconds before the girl told him to stop, but the damage and exploitation had already been done.

When arrested, Bowen displayed a shocking lack of remorse. He told a probation officer that he did not believe he had done anything wrong. His attitude did not improve during sentencing, as he told the judge “sweet” after being sentenced to five years in prison. The court also ordered Bowen to sign the sex offenders’ register and imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which will restrict his future access to children and prevent him from reoffending.

Judge Mr. Donald Tait addressed Bowen directly, stating, “The pre-sentence report does not make happy reading at all. Despite your guilty pleas, you’ve maintained denials and spoken disparagingly of the victim and her family. You’ve made threats about what you might do to other people if you get a custodial sentence, and you are at a high risk of sexual reconviction.”

Prosecutor Mr. David Sapiecha explained that Bowen’s relationship with the girl persisted even after he moved from Teignmouth to Paignton. He emphasized that the girl, who was suffering from low self-esteem and believed herself to be overweight, was shocked that Bowen found her attractive. Bowen exploited her feelings, engaging in grooming behaviors that led to sexual activity, which the prosecution characterized as a calculated manipulation of her vulnerabilities.

In addition to the five-year sentence, Bowen faced other legal consequences. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order. The court’s decision was also influenced by the fact that Bowen had a prior conviction for dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking, which resulted in a 21-month jail term in April 2013. During that incident, he admitted to knocking down and injuring a pedestrian following an argument earlier that evening. Bowen claimed the accident was accidental, asserting he lost control of the borrowed car while changing a CD, but this did not mitigate his current offenses.

Furthermore, Bowen faced additional allegations of abusing a nine-year-old girl, which he denied. These allegations remain on file, but no charges have been brought against him regarding that case at this time.

Overall, the court’s sentencing reflects the severity of Bowen’s actions and the danger he poses to society. The judge highlighted the significant delay in bringing these cases to court, describing it as “a lamentable performance,” and emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable to protect vulnerable individuals in the community.