A Ryde man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for historic child sex offences that happened over 20 years ago here on the Isle of Wight.
David Gower, 70, of Warwick Street appeared before Recorder James Bormige at the Isle of Wight Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday).
At the time of the offences – between January 2000 and December 2001 – Gower would visit the victims at their home in Ryde on a regular basis where he would indecently assault them.
The girls, aged 8 and 12 respectively at the time of the offences, only reported the incidents to Police in September last year. Gower was soon arrested and charged with 5 counts of indecent assault.
During Gower’s arrest, officers located a number of indecent hand-drawn images of children within a pile of magazines at his home. He was subsequently charged with the further offence of possession of a prohibited image of a child.
Appearing at Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on 27th September this year, after his case was unable to be heard earlier that month, Gower admitted all the offences against him. He was ordered to sign on to the Sex Offender’s Register within 72 hours. However, he failed to do so and was subsequently charged with failing to comply with Sex Offender Register notification requirements, as well as a further offence of possession of a knife in a public place after police found a knife in Gower’s car on 1st October.
During yesterday’s hearing, Gower was jailed for 15 years, with a 2-year extended licence period.
Investigating officer PC Mark Thomas said:
“Gower completely shattered the trust of these two girls, manipulating them into situations where he could abuse them.
“His actions were utterly appalling and he is now rightfully where he belongs – in prison.
“I want to commend the bravery of these two women, who were just children at the time of these awful offences. Because of their courage, a dangerous man is now off the streets.”
There aren’t any words to describe this vile scum rot in prison you disgusting thing!!
Scum indeed.
Typical face of a Tory voter.
Interesting that the usual suspect who are all over reports of people who are young and poor committing crimes are silent here.
Too close to home?
Hope he rots in prison.
what do you mean by “too close to home” smiffy – are you hiding something?
you do realise that sometimes there are just no words – that piece of filth will have been seen by plenty of locals around the town in Ryde over the years and what must his former neighbours think – there are kids that live in that street.
Bad parenting I’m right you are wrong
Well done to the IOW Police for nailing this low life, and well done to the victims for coming forward.