LAUD LAWRENCE FROM BOURNEMOUTH AND OXFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the communities of Bournemouth and Oxford, Laud Lawrence, a 69-year-old man with a disturbing history of child sexual offenses, has seen his life sentence overturned by the Court of Appeal in London. Originally, Lawrence, who resides on Wordsworth Road, was sentenced to life imprisonment for his heinous crimes, but the appellate court has now ordered that he serve a reduced term of 18 years.

Back in July 2008, Lawrence was convicted of multiple serious charges related to the sexual abuse of a young girl from Bournemouth. The court heard that he was a 'predatory' offender, targeting vulnerable young girls aged between nine and twelve. His criminal record included a previous 10-year sentence for child sex offenses, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that authorities found deeply troubling.

During the trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, prosecutor Miss Mary Aspinall-Miles described Lawrence as 'a sexual predator of the worst sort.' She detailed how he had raped and molested a girl from Bournemouth, beginning when she was just nine years old. Lawrence admitted to four counts of indecent assault and four counts of indecency with a child, but he denied the rape charges, claiming remorse for his actions.

The victim, now 22 and a mother, provided a heartbreaking statement read aloud in court. She expressed her hatred for Lawrence and detailed the profound impact his abuse had on her life. She said, 'I hate him and I hate what he has done to me. He sexually abused me when I was most vulnerable; a small, defenceless child.' She described suffering from flashbacks, nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and multiple visits to her doctor, including being prescribed medication and anti-depressants, which did not alleviate her suffering. The victim revealed she had attempted to take her own life twice and was currently seeing a psychologist. Her statement underscored how Lawrence's actions had stolen her childhood and left lasting scars.

In his defense, Lawrence maintained his innocence regarding the rape charges, but the court noted that he was 'extremely remorseful.' He had participated in a sex offenders' rehabilitation program while in prison, and authorities acknowledged that loneliness and psychological issues had contributed to his offending behavior.

Judge Roger Jarvis delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the lifelong damage caused to the victim. He stated, 'I have to decide whether you are a predatory paedophile. Your victim has been seriously damaged. I’m satisfied that you are dangerous; you have a dangerous disposition towards young females.' The judge also ordered Lawrence to be banned from working with children, to register as a sex offender for life, and to serve a minimum of nine more years before being considered for release.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Bryan Colley from Dorset Police’s Child Abuse Investigation Team praised the victim’s bravery, saying, 'I cannot praise this victim enough for coming forward. Without her courage, a dangerous and predatory paedophile would have gone unpunished. This sentence sends out a very clear message to other paedophiles, how seriously the police and the courts take this sort of offending.'

The victim expressed her relief and hope for justice, telling the Daily Echo, 'I’m shocked but very pleased with the sentence. It has given me closure. I hope he dies in prison.' She also encouraged others who have suffered abuse to speak out, emphasizing that sharing their experiences can be a vital step toward healing, despite the ongoing pain caused by such crimes.