Redbridge paedophile fails in bid to have indefinite jail term cut

Andrew Mower, 68, of Tryfan Close, Redbridge, was convicted in June of a string of offences related to a period between 2006 and 2011 in which he and his lodger, Darren Smith, 39, lured four young boys to the home they shared.

The boys, aged between 13 and 16, were then subjected to sex assaults and rape.

Mower was jailed indefinitely for public protection for 10 counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, three rapes and one attempted rape following a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

He was also ordered to serve at least 10 years before he could apply for parole.

Today his lawyers failed to have his minimum term cut at London’s Criminal Appeal court.

Lord Justice Rix, Mr Justice MacKay and Mr Justice Underhill heard his lawyers argue that, in light of Mower’s advancing years, he shouldn’t have been given a sentence which could see him die in prison.

But Mr Justice Underhill dismissed his application for permission to appeal, saying: “The finding of dangerousness cannot be challenged.

“As to the minimum term, the judge took into account the age and health of the offender, as well as the aggravating factors.”

He said the “restraint of the boys with bondage” was a particularly sickening aspect of his crimes.

Mower and Smith posed as trainspotters and used a common interest in railways to lure the boys.

The judge said: “A minimum term of ten years is beyond appeal.”

Smith received the same sentence as his landlord in June.