TERRY LOWTHER SENTENCED IN BRENTWOOD FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN

In April 2003, a teacher from Brentwood, Essex, was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting to committing a series of serious sexual offences against minors. Terry Lowther, aged 52 and residing on Warley Hill in Brentwood, pleaded guilty to a total of 11 charges related to his misconduct. These charges included five counts of indecent assault, four counts of taking indecent photographs, and two counts of gross indecency.

The court proceedings revealed that these criminal acts spanned over a period of 13 years, concluding only after Lowther’s arrest in February 2002. At the time of his arrest, Lowther was employed as a teacher at a school within Essex. During a police raid on his workplace, authorities discovered a collection of child pornography stored in his office and locker, further implicating him in the abuse.

The court was informed that Lowther’s first known victim was subjected to abuse beginning in 1989. This victim was between the ages of 13 and 15 during the period of the abuse. The allegations against Lowther extended to a second victim, who was 14 years old when the abuse started in 2001. This second victim, now aged 15, confided in his mother about the abuse, prompting her to report the matter to the school’s headmaster. The police were subsequently involved in the investigation.

During the court hearing, defense attorney Abbas Lakha expressed remorse on behalf of Lowther, stating, “He has expressed great remorse and apologies to all concerned for what he accepts was wholly unacceptable behaviour.” Lakha also highlighted that Lowther was once a respected member of his community and that teaching was his entire life. He added, “That life is now lost to him and he has now virtually lost his partner of many, many years.”

Judge David Richardson, presiding over the case, sentenced Lowther to four years in prison. The judge emphasized the abuse of power involved, remarking, “It was your position of power and influence which enabled this to take place.”

Following his conviction, Lowther will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Additionally, he will be subject to a restraining order that prohibits him from engaging in any employment or voluntary activities that involve teaching or coaching children under the age of 16, aiming to prevent any further harm or contact with minors.