Man convicted of 25 crimes against three women

A substantial and complex investigation which strived to get justice for three women has ended after a Leicester man was convicted of a total of 25 crimes.

Leon Bowes was found guilty on Monday 18 November of carrying out a string of violent and sexual offences against the women – some dating back more than 16 years.

Bowes’ offending was first reported to officers by one of the women in July 2023. As police began to investigate the crimes, they identified other women who had also suffered at the hands of the same man.

Specialist officers were able to work with the women – offering support and reassurance as they began the painstaking process of reliving the trauma inflicted upon them.

Sergeant Lorraine Hendrie was the officer in the case. She said: “Bowes used acts and threats of physical and sexual abuse and terrorised these women on almost a daily basis to get them to behave exactly how he wanted and do exactly what he said.  

“It has been truly heart breaking and distressing to hear the horrific abuse these three women endured. The courage and strength they have shown in sharing these traumatic events, not only with police but also during the trial, is truly commendable.

“Without their determination to see justice done this man would still be out in our community – possibly continuing to commit similar offences against other women.

“We also believe there could be other women who have also suffered abuse by Bowes and would urge them to contact police – it isn’t too late to make a report.”

As Sgt Hendrie began to piece together the evidence against Bowes a more detailed picture of his offending began to emerge.

It was established that since 2008, the 34-year-old of Biddle Road, Littlethorpe, Leicester, had frequently committed acts of physical and sexual violence, as well as verbal threats and controlling behaviour.

The offences against the first woman began when she was 14-years old, taking place between December 2008 and November 2015.

During this time, she was subjected to numerous acts of physical and sexual violence – including being raped, punched and strangled - causing her at times to lose consciousness.  

The offences against the second woman began in September 2015 and continued until July 2023.

Bowes used controlling and coercive behaviour - leaving the woman in fear of what would happen if she didn’t follow his demands. During the eight years he also raped and strangled her on multiple occasions.

The crimes against the third woman occurred between February and June 2023 in which, during a five-month period, she was raped, physically assaulted, threatened with a knife and subjected to controlling and coercive behaviour.

Throughout the 16-month investigation and subsequent trial Bowes denied the offences and accused the women of holding a grudge against him.

Following the six-week trial, at Leicester Crown Court, Bowes was convicted of:

• Ten counts of rape
• Eight counts of actual bodily harm (ABH)
• Two counts of coercive or controlling behaviour
• Two counts of assault by penetration
• One count of harassment
• One count of intentional strangulation
• One count of threatening with an offensive weapon, bladed or pointed article

Prior to the trial, he also pleaded guilty to:

• One count of affray
• One count of malicious communication
• One count of common assault
• One count of possession of a class B drug

These incidents related to two incidents which occurred on two occasions in July 2023 against one of the women and three people associated with her.

For a total of 29 crimes, he will be sentenced on 24 January 2025.  

During the trial Bowes was also found not guilty of one count of ABH and no verdict could be reached in relation to another account of ABH.

Detective Superintendent Chris Baker, force lead for violence against women and girls, said: “Tackling violence against women and girls is a vital part of the work of policing. The force is committed to ensuring that women who are harmed by abuse feel supported to report this type of behaviour and when doing so they are treated with empathy and compassion.

“Every day our officers are working to identify and pursue predators, like Bowes, and bring them to justice for the abuse and trauma they have inflicted.

“I would like to thank the victims and witnesses in this case for coming forward and for working with us to ensure justice is done. It is thanks to them and their courage that no other woman will suffer his abuse.”

For more information or support: https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/