Ex-BBC presenter Peter Rowell jailed for abusing girls

Here's a story of another pedophile predator who "groomed' his victims. This man was a very prominent BBC newscaster who abused his position to sexually abuse girls. He did these predatory behaviors in the late 80's and early 90's. First one survivor came forward which led to another 4 survivors coming forward. I am surprised that since his arrest last March that more of his victims didn't come forward. A predator doesn't just stop preying on victims. I suspect that there are more. I am glad these women came forward and were able to get justice for what they had to survive. Rosie

2 March 2012 Last updated at 07:42 ET

 

Peter Rowell presented the afternoon show on BBC Radio Bristol

Former BBC and ITV presenter Peter Rowell has been jailed for six years for sexually abusing girls.

He admitted 12 charges of indecent assault on girls under the age of 16, six charges of making indecent images and one of possessing images.
Rowell, 53, had denied a charge of rape and the jury at Bristol Crown Court accepted an alternative charge of indecent assault.

 He assaulted his five victims between 1989 and the early 1990s.
'Computer seized' The broadcaster, from Wickwar, South Gloucestershire, sparked a nationwide search after failing to turn up for work in March 2011.
His car had been found left in a supermarket car park at Yate.
The father-of-one was found "safe and well" the next day in Keswick, Cumbria, and was later arrested by police.
Before his disappearance, police had raided his home and seized his computer.

Mr Rowell abused his position of trust and respect and took advantage”

Det Insp Jill Kells

On that computer detectives found more than 400 indecent images of children.

Speaking outside court, Det Insp Jill Kells praised the five victims for being "really brave" and "very courageous" in coming forward to explain what happened to them.
She said police were alerted when the first woman came forward just over a year ago.
A second then made contact and following his arrest and charge, another three victims contacted detectives.
Det Insp Kells said a lot of the initial contact with the victims was made through the studios of the then GWR station on Bristol's waterfront after they had shown interest in the radio station and Mr Rowell.
"Mr Rowell abused his position of trust and respect and took advantage," she said.
"Many of the offences took place at the radio station [GWR] and at the victims' home address... but none of them were committed at the BBC or ITV studios.
"He used very predatory and grooming behaviour to groom them and then offend against them.
"I hope this sentence allows the victims to get some sort of comfort and closure and allow them to move forward."
The father-of-one, originally form Sunderland, presented the afternoon show on BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Somerset.
He was also a news bulletin reader on ITV West for more than 10 years and worked as a DJ for commercial radio station GWR in the 1980s.

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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-17225087#TWEET91198