Ex-council chairman denies child sex charges
A FORMER chairman of Ilkley Parish Council has denied allegations that he attempted to engage underage boys in sexual activity over the internet.
Heathcliffe Bowen, who previously worked as an administrator on the Bradford Council children’s safeguarding board, has denied a series of charges relating to his alleged contact with under16s and yesterday he began giving evidence before a jury at Bradford Crown Court.
Bowen, of Woodlands Rise, Ilkley, told police that his internet chats were “an addiction” which got out of hand and claimed that the conversations were complete fantasy.
During his evidence to the jury Bowen described how he had been affected by working on the “front line” of child protection on the safeguarding board.
Bowen said his involvement with some “quite heavy cases” had affected him quite considerably and he was devastated when he was the subject of dismissal proceedings in 2014.
Bowen was dismissed from his post in October 2014 and said the fall-out led to stress, anxiety, depression and irritability.
The prosecution has alleged that Bowen was involved in Skype chats with underage boys and even paid one youngster for sex, but Bowen told police that he was “role-playing” and denied ever paying for sex.
Bowen is also alleged to have sent indecent images of children to others.
The trial continues.