DAVID LAWRENCE FROM WESTLEA BUSTED FOR BREACHING COURT ORDERS AND FRAUD IN SWINDON
| Red Rose Database
Westlea Child Sexual Abuser
In a series of serious legal violations, David Lawrence, a resident of Westlea, has found himself at the center of multiple court proceedings related to breaches of court orders and fraudulent activity. The incidents span from late 2019 through 2021, highlighting a pattern of misconduct that has alarmed authorities and the public alike.
In January 2021, Lawrence was brought before Swindon Crown Court after it was revealed that he had violated a court-imposed sexual harm prevention order by engaging in online activities that were explicitly prohibited. Specifically, he was found to have played Facebook games and maintained a Facebook account under his own name during the period from November 2019 to March 2020. Prosecutor Ehsanul Oarith detailed that Lawrence had set up this account and used it to access social media, despite restrictions meant to limit his internet use due to previous offenses.
Further investigations uncovered that between November 5 and 10, 2019, Lawrence was in possession of a tablet computer without informing his supervising police officer. The device was discovered hidden beneath his pillow during an unannounced police visit in September 2019. Additionally, police found that Lawrence had deliberately deleted two days’ worth of internet history from his Nokia mobile phone, an act that was also prohibited under his court orders. These actions demonstrated a clear attempt to conceal online activity and breach the restrictions placed upon him.
While on bail for these breaches, Lawrence’s misconduct escalated. A female neighbor, who had entrusted him with her credit card to buy food for her cat while she was hospitalized, reported that Lawrence had made unauthorized transactions totaling approximately £2,441.95. The payments, made between September 25 and November 4, 2020, included attempts to contact escorts, indicating further inappropriate behavior. Lawrence’s misuse of the neighbor’s credit card was a direct violation of the conditions of his bail and court orders.
During the court hearing, Lawrence admitted to three counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order and one count of fraud by false representation. His defense highlighted his significant learning disabilities, which the judge acknowledged as a mitigating factor. Judge Jason Taylor QC responded by imposing a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, emphasizing the need to address Lawrence’s vulnerabilities while protecting the public. The judge also expressed gratitude to Mr. Ross for his assistance in securing a hospital placement for Lawrence, describing the case as unusual and complex.
Earlier, in September 2020, Lawrence had already been in trouble for similar breaches. He had played Facebook games and deleted internet history, actions that violated his court restrictions. He was also found in possession of a computer without informing police, further demonstrating his disregard for legal boundaries. Lawrence’s history of offending dates back to 2018, when he was convicted after his ex-partner, who had turned into a paedophile hunter, posed as a 15-year-old girl to catch him. He had sent her intimate images and suggested they meet, which led to his initial conviction and a 14-month suspended jail sentence along with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
In June 2018, Lawrence’s past offenses came to light again when he was caught attempting to meet children for sex. His ex-partner, acting as a paedophile hunter, had set up the sting, revealing that Lawrence believed he was talking to a 15-year-old girl named ‘Lauren’ on Facebook. The chat quickly turned sexual, with Lawrence asking to see her undressed and sending explicit images of himself. He also discussed involving her younger siblings, aged 11 and 6, in sexual acts, and even planned to meet in Newport, Wales. When questioned, Lawrence admitted his actions, expressing awareness that they were wrong and describing individuals attracted to children as ‘disgusting, nasty and wrong.’
Judge Taylor sentenced Lawrence to a 14-month jail term, suspended for two years, and mandated that he undertake 30 days of rehabilitation. He also ordered Lawrence to register as a sex offender for ten years and comply with a sexual harm prevention order. The judge emphasized that Lawrence poses a medium risk of harm to children but that his risk could be mitigated through proper intervention and addressing his underlying issues. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing offenders with complex needs, especially those with learning disabilities, and highlights the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable members of society.
In January 2021, Lawrence was brought before Swindon Crown Court after it was revealed that he had violated a court-imposed sexual harm prevention order by engaging in online activities that were explicitly prohibited. Specifically, he was found to have played Facebook games and maintained a Facebook account under his own name during the period from November 2019 to March 2020. Prosecutor Ehsanul Oarith detailed that Lawrence had set up this account and used it to access social media, despite restrictions meant to limit his internet use due to previous offenses.
Further investigations uncovered that between November 5 and 10, 2019, Lawrence was in possession of a tablet computer without informing his supervising police officer. The device was discovered hidden beneath his pillow during an unannounced police visit in September 2019. Additionally, police found that Lawrence had deliberately deleted two days’ worth of internet history from his Nokia mobile phone, an act that was also prohibited under his court orders. These actions demonstrated a clear attempt to conceal online activity and breach the restrictions placed upon him.
While on bail for these breaches, Lawrence’s misconduct escalated. A female neighbor, who had entrusted him with her credit card to buy food for her cat while she was hospitalized, reported that Lawrence had made unauthorized transactions totaling approximately £2,441.95. The payments, made between September 25 and November 4, 2020, included attempts to contact escorts, indicating further inappropriate behavior. Lawrence’s misuse of the neighbor’s credit card was a direct violation of the conditions of his bail and court orders.
During the court hearing, Lawrence admitted to three counts of breaching his sexual harm prevention order and one count of fraud by false representation. His defense highlighted his significant learning disabilities, which the judge acknowledged as a mitigating factor. Judge Jason Taylor QC responded by imposing a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, emphasizing the need to address Lawrence’s vulnerabilities while protecting the public. The judge also expressed gratitude to Mr. Ross for his assistance in securing a hospital placement for Lawrence, describing the case as unusual and complex.
Earlier, in September 2020, Lawrence had already been in trouble for similar breaches. He had played Facebook games and deleted internet history, actions that violated his court restrictions. He was also found in possession of a computer without informing police, further demonstrating his disregard for legal boundaries. Lawrence’s history of offending dates back to 2018, when he was convicted after his ex-partner, who had turned into a paedophile hunter, posed as a 15-year-old girl to catch him. He had sent her intimate images and suggested they meet, which led to his initial conviction and a 14-month suspended jail sentence along with a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.
In June 2018, Lawrence’s past offenses came to light again when he was caught attempting to meet children for sex. His ex-partner, acting as a paedophile hunter, had set up the sting, revealing that Lawrence believed he was talking to a 15-year-old girl named ‘Lauren’ on Facebook. The chat quickly turned sexual, with Lawrence asking to see her undressed and sending explicit images of himself. He also discussed involving her younger siblings, aged 11 and 6, in sexual acts, and even planned to meet in Newport, Wales. When questioned, Lawrence admitted his actions, expressing awareness that they were wrong and describing individuals attracted to children as ‘disgusting, nasty and wrong.’
Judge Taylor sentenced Lawrence to a 14-month jail term, suspended for two years, and mandated that he undertake 30 days of rehabilitation. He also ordered Lawrence to register as a sex offender for ten years and comply with a sexual harm prevention order. The judge emphasized that Lawrence poses a medium risk of harm to children but that his risk could be mitigated through proper intervention and addressing his underlying issues. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing offenders with complex needs, especially those with learning disabilities, and highlights the importance of strict enforcement of court orders to protect vulnerable members of society.