Former Plymouth navy officer jailed for sex offences

A former senior naval officer who committed a string of indecent assaults in the 1980s and 90s - including one on a warship - has been jailed.

Ex-Cdr Charles Howeson, 68, from Plymouth, was last year found guilty of 10 charges against eight men.

He had denied using his position of authority to grope young boys and men on board frigate HMS Cleopatra while he was second in command.

At Bristol Crown Court, he was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

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During the trial last year, the court heard Howeson used his position of authority in the Royal Navy and in the Plymouth Area Groundwork Trust charity to commit the offences.

Another jury failed to reach verdicts on two outstanding charges against a ninth complainant last week.

Sentencing, Judge Mark Horton said Howeson "effectively trapped" most of his victims "like prey in order to abuse them".

Howeson had used his position and power to manipulate men under his command in a persistent and planned way, he said.

"None of these offences were opportunist," the judge said. "All were calculated and deliberate events."

He said senior officers associated with Howeson effectively closed ranks and put his interests, and the reputation of the Navy, "above those whom it should have been protecting".

The judge previously adjourned sentencing after hearing from Daniel Janner QC, defending, that Howeson had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and was due to begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Det Sgt Susanne Lee, of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Abuse Investigation Team, welcomed the sentence.

"The offences, which consisted of premeditated sexual assaults on young men, has caused psychological harm to them for many years afterwards, affecting relationships and contributing towards drug and alcohol addictions, and depression.

"We wish to say thank you to those victims for coming forward and for being brave throughout this process," she said.

Howeson held high-profile business positions including with the Consumer Council for Water and First Great Western Trains and was lieutenant commander on HMS Cleopatra.

Howeson, of Craigie Drive, Plymouth, intends to appeal against his convictions.