STEPHEN OWEN'S HORRIFIC ABUSE IN BOLTON: CROSS-DRESSING PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Bolton, Stephen Owen, aged 62, has been sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison for heinous sexual offenses committed against two young girls during the 1980s and 1990s. Owen’s crimes involved a series of indecent assaults, acts of indecency with minors, and attempted rape, all carried out in the town of Bolton, which has a long history of community and family values.

According to court proceedings, Owen, who was known to wear his wife’s dresses and shoes, targeted two girls at different times when they were between the ages of nine and 15, and six to 11 years old. The court heard that he would dress in women’s clothing, including wedding dresses, before abusing the victims. One of the most disturbing aspects of the case was Owen’s manipulation of the girls, as he would give them money for sweets and tell them that their secret was safe between them, effectively silencing and controlling his victims.

The first girl, now in her mid-30s, and the second, in her late 20s, cannot be named publicly due to legal restrictions. The abuse took place over several years, with the victims suffering at Owen’s hands during their childhood and early adolescence. The court was told that the first girl was assaulted when she was between nine and 15 years old, while the second was victimized between the ages of six and 11.

The case came to light after one of the victims saw an article in The Bolton News about Owen, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to nine years in prison in 2008 for 13 sexual offenses against a third young girl. This prior conviction did not deter Owen from continuing his abusive behavior, which only came to an end after the latest allegations surfaced.

In the courtroom, Owen was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault, three charges of indecency with a child, and two counts of attempted rape. The jury, composed of six men and six women, deliberated and reached a verdict that reflected the severity of his crimes. The judge sentenced Owen to an additional nine years for the recent offenses, to run consecutively with his previous sentence, resulting in a total of 15 years behind bars.

Detective Constable Mike Mather, of Bolton CID’s Public Protection and Investigation Unit, expressed his views on the case, stating, “Owen was quite clearly a danger to the public and today’s sentence reflects that. His crimes were heinous and I just hope today’s result will give some comfort to his victims who were brave enough to come forward and report him.”

He further added, “I also hope that this conviction will act as a ray of hope to other victims of sexual abuse and encourage them to come forward to police.” The community of Bolton can now be assured that justice has been served, and that Owen’s actions, which caused immense suffering, will keep him away from potential victims for many years to come.