Farmer jailed for three years for sex assault on Hartlepool woman after he ignored her pleas to stop

Mark Lowis, 50, sexually touched the victim, who cannot be named, despite her telling him not to.

He was found guilty of the assault following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in June 2019 and sentenced to three years in prison today, Wednesday, February 10.

Lowis was acquitted of a number of other alleged sexual offences against the same victim, after a retrial.

But the judge said there was no alternative to immediate custody for the offence he was found guilty of.

Recorder Catherine Silverton said the victim had suffered psychological harm as a result of what Lowis did.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said of the sex assault: “The defendant didn’t act upon her telling him no.

"He didn’t really respect what she was saying.”

Mr Cleasby said Lowis continued with the assault and ignored ‘physical resistance’ by the victim.

He then stopped but was verbally abusive to the woman, the court heard.

Recorder Silverton said: “[She] made it clear that she didn’t consent. There has undoubtedly been material psychological harm done to the victim by virtue of this offence.”

Related story: Hartlepool man jailed after he admits sexually assaulting young girl

In mitigation, it was said that Lowis, of Soulby, near Penrith, was a decent and hardworking man.

A number of references spoke highly of him including from his partner who said he was ‘a true gentleman’.

His barrister Robin Denny added: “What he did was something over a very short period of time.”

Mr Denny said there had been a ‘lack of persistence’ by Lowis who runs the farm that has been in his family for over 100 years.

Recorder Silverton accepted he was a valued member of his community who had gone out of his way to help others in the past.

But she added: “I take the view though that the offence and its circumstances are such that I have no alternative but to send you immediately to custody.”

He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and also given a restraining order not to contact or go within 100 metres of the victim or to enter Hartlepool.

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.