Eight-year sentence for man convicted of non-recent child sexual abuse

A man who sexually abused three boys over a 14-year period has been jailed.

John Fowler committed the offences in Leicester between 1990 and 2004, abusing each of his victims either at his address or when he had taken them to play sports.

The first of his victims – who are now adults – contacted police in 2017 to report what had happened, with the second victim contacting police in 2019. As a result of the investigation, a third victim was identified, who provided an account to police in 2020.

On 26 July, following a trial, Fowler was found guilty of three counts of indecent assault on a male person – two relating to one victim and the other relating to a second – and two counts of sexual assault relating to a third victim.

Today (Wednesday 27 September) the 69-year-old of Gainsborough Road, Knighton, was jailed for a total of eight years at Nottingham Crown Court

He was also placed on the sex offender register for life and disqualified from working with children.

John Fowler

Detective Constable Joe Parker, the investigating officer, said: “Fowler’s victims have shown great courage both in recounting what happened to police and then again in court, where he continued to claim he was innocent.

“I hope the fact he’s been convicted of his crimes – and is now serving time in prison – provides them with a degree of closure and allows them to move on with their lives.

“We remain open-minded to the fact there may be other victims who may have been sexually abused by Fowler but have never contacted police. If this is the case, then I hope today’s outcome may also encourage them to come forward. It’s never too late to do so.”

• There are a number of different agencies who are able to offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
• Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences