Cwmbran man jailed after offering sex cash to teen
A CWMBRAN man was jailed for more than three years, after admitting offering a teenage girl money for sex.
Robert Bowen, 47, of Walkdens, Fairwater, appeared in Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child.
He had initially been charged with three counts of rape, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge on the day of his trial.
Prosecutor Martyn Kelly said the offences happened on three separate occasions during a three-month period. The court heard Bowen offered the girl money and threatened to hurt her family if she told anyone.
Counsel for Bowen, Stephen Jeary said his client pleaded guilty at the first opportunity after the lesser offence was offered and had no previous convictions of a similar nature.
Judge Neil Bidder QC said Bowen only admitted a single instance of sexual activity in police interview when he was confronted with “incontrovertible evidence.”
He said: “You vehemently denied any sexual activity had taken place and only in fact admitted on instance of sexual activity when you were faced with the most damning forensic evidence. Even then you didn’t accept the other two incidents until you came to court. These offences appear to have had a serious psychological effect on the victim.”
Bowen was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and made the subject of a 10- year Sexual Offences Prevention Order.
