Locations
akeside Court, Spennymoor, DL16
Description
A Spennymoor paedophile asked a teenage girl for sex, suggesting they film it and "make a lot of money" by posting the video on OnlyFans.
Adam Fowler messaged the girl for nude pictures and paid her for explicit videos of her and her boyfriend.
When she rejected his request—after he said they could make a fortune posting it to OnlyFans—he grabbed her thigh and kissed her, Durham Crown Court heard.
Fowler had previously paid her “tens of pounds” for several videos she sent him.
The 36-year-old, of Lakeside Court in Spennymoor, appeared in court on Wednesday (October 22) for sentencing on 11 charges.
He admitted some in May and others more recently, after a trial date was set for January 2026.
The charges included six counts of making indecent images of a child, paying a child to engage in sexual activity, causing and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, and causing a child to watch sexual activity.
The last charge involved a video sent to another girl after he performed a sex act on himself, with an aubergine emoji over his private parts.
Prosecutor Ian West said Fowler was arrested in 2022 and, after release under investigation, downloaded many indecent images later found on his devices.
He was interviewed three times—in April 2022, and February and September last year—declining to answer questions each time.
Defence barrister Johnny Walker said since his "decision of good sense" to plead guilty, Fowler has been remanded in custody for the first time.
“He’s a man of previous good character, an industrious, hard-working man, who is now experiencing custody for the first time at the age of 36.
“He is profoundly aware of the impact on both girls, and, through me, wants to send his heartfelt apologies for the damage he has caused.”
Judge Deborah Sherwin noted a “significant” age difference between Fowler and the two complainants, who were exposed to things they should not have been at their ages.
She highlighted “opportunism” on his part and the “significance” that many indecent images were downloaded after his 2022 release under investigation.
She jailed him for six years and four months.
Fowler must sign the sex offenders' register and face internet restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Ten-year restraining orders prohibit him from contacting or approaching either victim.
Judge Sherwin warned that future sexual offences could deem him a “dangerous offender,” leading to lengthier sentences.
Deprivation orders were made for all devices containing the offending material.