Torquay man jailed 18 years for child rape and abuse images

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 24 Oct, 00:32 · Archive

Edward Howard, 34, was sentenced to 18 years in prison plus six years on extended licence for rape, attempted assault and distributing indecent images of children.

Edward Howard, 34, of Warren Road, Torquay, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday, October 22, to 18 years in prison plus six years on extended licence. He had pleaded guilty to 17 charges at an earlier hearing on August 20.

Four of the offences involved a single victim under 13, comprising rape, two counts of attempted assault by penetration and making an indecent photograph of a child. Howard also admitted six counts of making indecent photographs of children across categories A, B and C, three counts of distributing indecent images in each category, possession of extreme pornography and three counts of sexual communication with a child.

Howard was arrested in December 2025 after police received information that he had uploaded indecent images of children to the internet. Examination of his mobile phone revealed a large quantity of such images and sexual communications with three children. Officers also found images he had taken himself of one victim, who later disclosed he had sexually assaulted her on more than one occasion.

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Ryan McGregor of the Devon and Cornwall Paedophile Online Investigation Team described it as 'a complex and disturbing investigation'. Police praised the victim's courage and vowed to continue pursuing those who harm children.

How it is being reported

• Torquay child rapist jailed for 18 years after admitting 17 sex offencesEdward Howard, 34, of Torquay, was jailed for 18 years and given six more years on extended licence after admitting 17 charges including child rape.Exmouth Journal · 24 Oct, 00:00
• Twisted Torquay predator jailed for rape and multiple child sex offencesEdward Howard has been locked up for terrible crimesDevonLive · 22 Oct, 13:30

In this story: Edward Howard · Exeter Crown Court · Torquay · Devon and Cornwall Paedophile Online Investigation Team · Torbay

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