WILLIAM ROWE OF DARTFORD SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRL OVER 20 YEARS AGO
| Red Rose Database
Dartford Rapist
In a case that has spanned over two decades, William Rowe, a 60-year-old resident of Queens Road in Dartford, has been sentenced to ten years in prison for a series of severe sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The crimes, which took place more than twenty years ago, only came to light recently after the victim was contacted via Facebook by an unknown individual, prompting her to report the abuse to authorities.
William Rowe faced multiple charges, including three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child. Although he denied all charges, a jury at Maidstone Crown Court convicted him of all but one count of indecency with a child. This marked the third time Rowe had stood trial for these offenses, with previous trials ending in a hung jury and a legal procedural termination, respectively. Each time, the victim was compelled to give evidence in court, reliving the traumatic events.
It was revealed during the trial that Rowe had a prior conviction for indecent assault dating back to 1984, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior. The court heard that the abuse inflicted upon the victim was particularly brutal, with Judge Martin Joy describing the offenses as “a classic example” of the damage caused by child sexual abuse. The judge emphasized the long-lasting impact on the victim, stating, “What the court could see was a woman who has lived for over 20 years with the fact of having been sexually abused in a very serious way by you. It caused her mental health problems, depression, huge distress, loneliness… and an inability to function as a normal and healthy young woman should be able to.”
William Rowe is set to serve half of his ten-year sentence, with a deduction of 64 days for time already spent in remand. He will also be subject to a tagged curfew and will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely upon release. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.
During the trial, it was disclosed that the victim reported the abuse to police after receiving a disturbing message on Facebook. The message read, “You are all grown up now. You have turned into a beautiful young lady,” which horrified her. Prosecutor Michael Riley explained that the victim confided in her boyfriend, saying, “They have found me. One of my abusers has found me.” Riley added, “It was that message that acted as a trigger for her. It brought things back for her. Once she read it she became very upset and distressed.”
The court heard that Rowe’s abuse began after a tragic family loss—his wife Elaine and their two daughters, Sarah and Vicky, were killed in a houseboat fire at Hoo Marina on Boxing Day in 1988. The prosecutor detailed the horrifying acts, including Rowe instructing the girl to lie on top of him and touch his genitals, followed by intercourse. On another occasion, he took her into a cellar, laid her on a workbench, and engaged in sexual acts. The abuse continued with a third rape and additional sex acts, with Rowe allegedly telling the girl to keep the incidents secret, claiming that no one would believe her and that both of them would get into trouble.
When police arrested Rowe, both he and his brother denied the allegations. The case highlights the devastating effects of long-term abuse and the importance of justice for victims who come forward after many years of silence.
William Rowe faced multiple charges, including three counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecency with a child. Although he denied all charges, a jury at Maidstone Crown Court convicted him of all but one count of indecency with a child. This marked the third time Rowe had stood trial for these offenses, with previous trials ending in a hung jury and a legal procedural termination, respectively. Each time, the victim was compelled to give evidence in court, reliving the traumatic events.
It was revealed during the trial that Rowe had a prior conviction for indecent assault dating back to 1984, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior. The court heard that the abuse inflicted upon the victim was particularly brutal, with Judge Martin Joy describing the offenses as “a classic example” of the damage caused by child sexual abuse. The judge emphasized the long-lasting impact on the victim, stating, “What the court could see was a woman who has lived for over 20 years with the fact of having been sexually abused in a very serious way by you. It caused her mental health problems, depression, huge distress, loneliness… and an inability to function as a normal and healthy young woman should be able to.”
William Rowe is set to serve half of his ten-year sentence, with a deduction of 64 days for time already spent in remand. He will also be subject to a tagged curfew and will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely upon release. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.
During the trial, it was disclosed that the victim reported the abuse to police after receiving a disturbing message on Facebook. The message read, “You are all grown up now. You have turned into a beautiful young lady,” which horrified her. Prosecutor Michael Riley explained that the victim confided in her boyfriend, saying, “They have found me. One of my abusers has found me.” Riley added, “It was that message that acted as a trigger for her. It brought things back for her. Once she read it she became very upset and distressed.”
The court heard that Rowe’s abuse began after a tragic family loss—his wife Elaine and their two daughters, Sarah and Vicky, were killed in a houseboat fire at Hoo Marina on Boxing Day in 1988. The prosecutor detailed the horrifying acts, including Rowe instructing the girl to lie on top of him and touch his genitals, followed by intercourse. On another occasion, he took her into a cellar, laid her on a workbench, and engaged in sexual acts. The abuse continued with a third rape and additional sex acts, with Rowe allegedly telling the girl to keep the incidents secret, claiming that no one would believe her and that both of them would get into trouble.
When police arrested Rowe, both he and his brother denied the allegations. The case highlights the devastating effects of long-term abuse and the importance of justice for victims who come forward after many years of silence.