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03
Mar
Harrogate rapist given life sentence
A former Harrogate man has been handed a life sentence after being found guilty of a string of sex offences.
James Dowson, now in custody and of no fixed address, was charged with two counts of rape against a girl under 16 and five counts of indecent assault against a girl under 14.
He originally denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty in November last year. The 35-year-old was remanded in custody before being sentenced at Bradford Crown Court today (March 3).
North Yorkshire Police said Dowson was also sentenced for crimes committed in West Yorkshire after being found guilty of 10 offences, including rape and sexual assault.
The judge today sentenced him to life imprisonment. He must serve 12 years and 247 days before he can apply for parole.
Dowson was also issued with indefinite restraining orders against the two victims and issued with a sexual harm prevention order.
The sentences include a total of two years for the offences in North Yorkshire and the remainder for the offences committed in West Yorkshire.
Judge Ahmed Nadim praised the victims for helping to make society a safer place. He said:
Without them giving evidence, a very dangerous offender would not have met justice and by taking the brave decision that they have and by giving evidence in the manner that they have, they have contributed to our society being a safer place.
They are for that reason deserving of an enormous gratitude from this court on behalf of the society as a whole.
‘I thought it would be easier if I wasn't here’
North Yorkshire Police said Dowson targeted an eight-year-old girl in North Yorkshire and continued to abuse her for five years.
The victim, now an adult, provided a victim personal statement in court. Here is an extract:
When the abuse was happening when I was a young child, I remember I felt confused. I lost respect for myself. During the abuse at its worst when I was 13, I felt helpless. I knew it wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what to do. It was an out of body experience. I didn’t actually process what had happened and the severity of it until I was 15 or 16 years of age.
I became angry. I struggled to sleep at night. Certain smells and certain mannerisms from others would cause flash backs.
There were times where I felt so low I thought it would be easier if I wasn’t here. I felt worthless and developed self-sabotaging behaviour.
The abuse I suffered has also really affected my relationships with others. When I reached low points with my mental health my close family and friends were pushed away.
When I did finally report the incident to the police, I had the unwavering support of my husband, and I think this was what gave me the strength to persevere with the investigation.
The court process was extremely hard, however I really felt that my voice was heard, and I felt it was the final hurdle to closing this chapter of my life and starting a new chapter.
I get to live my life now and watch my babies grow up and be present in the moment. I can wake up every day knowing that I have done the right thing.
Throughout this process I have learnt that I am loved, I am cared about and that I do matter. This abuse had been in my head for 20 years. After I found out he’d been found guilty on 6 November I felt a wave of calm come over me and I have never felt like that before.
'Her motivation was to ensure he was locked away'
Investigating officer Detective Constable Abigail Garford, of North Yorkshire Police’s safeguarding investigation team, said:
It was incredibly difficult for the victim to report this to the police. But she bravely detailed the horrific abuse that Dowson inflicted on her that has now led to his conviction. I know that she now feels a weight has been lifted of her shoulders since he was found guilty.
Despite her ordeal, her main motivation throughout was to ensure he was locked away so that he couldn’t do the same to other women. This is truly commendable.
I sincerely hope that the outcome encourages other victims of abuse to come forward and report what has happened to them. You will be listened to and we will do everything we can to bring justice for you.
You can find details on how to report rape and sexual abuse, no matter how long ago it happened, below.
• Make a report via our website or call 101, option 4 and speak to the Force Control Room.
• If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, always dial 999 for an emergency response.
• Anyone concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helplinefor advice on 0808 800 5000. Adult victims of non-recent sexual abuse can also get in touch for support.
• Childline is available for young people on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk.
• Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) victims, who would prefer not to go direct to the police and are not in immediate danger, can contact North Yorkshire’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) on 0330 223 0362.
• You can also contact Supporting Victims in North Yorkshire at supportingvictims.org or call 01609 643100.
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