Hythe man Steven Bowden given suspended prison sentence at Southampton Crown Court after almost 2,000 indecent images of children found

A HYTHE man claimed a computer containing almost 2,000 indecent images of children belonged to a dead relative, and destroyed a hard drive to hinder the police investigation.

Steven Bowden (60), of Velsheda Court, was handed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Southampton Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday).

He had admitted three counts of making indecent images of children, of which there were 145 category A – the most severe – including 19 videos.

Prosecutor Rob Blaine told the court Bowden also had 203 category B images and 1,386 category C. Both were a mixture of stills and videos.

The children in the images ranged from between four to six years old, with some in their teens.

He also admitted one count of perverting the course of justice.

Police raided Bowden’s home in July 2022, the court heard, and he gave them access to various devices which included a computer in his study and at work.

Officers returned to his home the following day after discovering a hard drive from one of the computers was missing.

Mr Blaine explained this had not been recovered and Bowden later admitted in police interview he had destroyed it by smashing it into pieces and throwing it into water nearby.

Defending, James Bull said his client had inherited a desktop computer from a deceased family member.

He explained: “He saw the content and accepts he should have contacted the police.

“It is also accepted that the images were transferred via Dropbox to [his] other devices. He accepts that he did that on purpose.”

He acted “in a moment of impulsivity and madness out of pure panic”, in destroying the hard drive, he added.

The court heard Bowden’s wife was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and as a result he was under “a significant amount of psychological and emotional distress”, which contributed to his offending.

Mr Bull added Bowden is a successful businessman who co-owns a bespoke joinery company.

He was “petrified” of being sent to prison and added he may lose his livelihood if jailed.

“It is the biggest mistake he has ever made,” he added.

Sentencing him, Judge Christopher Parker KC said: “It is asserted that you came into possession of the images from a deceased family member, but nevertheless you copied the images and sorted and categorised them into disguised folders.”

Turning to the charge of perverting the course of justice, he added: “The destruction of the hard drive is a very serious matter.

“That had a significant impact on police to properly investigate how you came into possession of this material and what you did with it.”

He had chosen to suspend the term, however, due to Bowden’s wife’s illness.

He added: “She has stood by you, notwithstanding the nature of your offending, but she needs you because of her health condition.

“That situation – just, and only just – permits the sentence to be suspended.”

Bowden must also carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work, up to 40 rehabilitation requirement activity days, and pay costs of £1,000.

Judge Parker KC imposed a sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his internet access, for 10 years. He must also notify police of his address for the same period.