A convicted paedophile who sexually abused children made 178 phone calls to a 15-year-old girl from prison, where he lied about her age to authorities. Timothy Dowler, 22, was given a sexual harm prevention order in 2021 after being found guilty of eight counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity. He was sentenced to six years and six months in a young offenders’ institute.
During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court, it was revealed that Dowler had initially met the victim on social media when she was 14, believing he was 18 when, in fact, he had used a younger brother’s photo. Their interactions progressed to in-person meetings where he provided her with alcohol, cigarettes, and trainers. The girl eventually grew uncomfortable with the situation and discontinued contact with Dowler.
After Dowler’s imprisonment at HMP Parc in Bridgend, he deceitfully added the victim to his approved contacts list by falsely stating she was 20 years old. He proceeded to call her 178 times, expressing a desire to meet up upon his release. Feeling uneasy and nervous, the girl concealed the calls from her mother before eventually requesting the prison to block Dowler’s number.
Dowler, who also had prior convictions for sexual assault of a child under 14, later admitted to breaching the sexual harm prevention order. In her victim impact statement to the court, the girl described the emotional manipulation she endured, expressing pride in her strength and resilience to rebuild her life despite the trauma inflicted by Dowler.
In mitigation, Dowler’s defence highlighted his challenging upbringing and personal struggles but acknowledged his past work in the Navy and cooking industry. Judge Carl Harrison sentenced Dowler to an additional 20 months in prison, to run consecutively to his existing term, and imposed a 10-year restraining order.
The victim’s courage in confronting her abuser and seeking justice serves as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of such crimes on survivors. Dowler’s actions, preying on vulnerability and trust, underscore the importance of vigilance in protecting children and holding offenders accountable for their actions. As the legal system fulfills its duty in delivering appropriate consequences, support for victims remains crucial in their journey towards healing and recovery.