LAWRENCE BENNETT GUILTY OF RAPE AND SEXUAL OFFENCES IN NORTHWICH

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Northwich, Lawrence Bennett, aged 57 and residing on Alan Street, has been convicted of multiple serious sexual offences following a comprehensive trial at Chester Crown Court. The jury, after careful deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict on Friday, finding Bennett guilty of nine separate charges that spanned over two decades.

Among the convictions are charges of rape committed between December 13, 1986, and December 14, 1987. These allegations involved a period when Bennett was in his late twenties to early thirties, and the crimes were committed against a victim whose identity remains protected by law. In addition to the rape charges, Bennett was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault, which took place between March 1, 1999, and October 1, 1999. These offences further underscore a pattern of predatory behavior spanning many years.

The court also convicted Bennett of engaging in sexual activity with a child under the age of 13, with these offences occurring between November 1, 2008, and January 16, 2009. These recent allegations highlight the disturbing nature of his criminal conduct, which persisted into the late 2000s.

Throughout the trial, Bennett maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all nine charges. However, the evidence presented was compelling enough to secure a conviction. The case came to light after Bennett’s arrest on January 19, 2009, following a distressing report from a 10-year-old girl. She described Bennett, whom she knew as Uncle Lance and considered a family friend, as having touched her inappropriately in her groin area. Her account prompted immediate police action.

Following Bennett’s arrest, investigators uncovered additional disturbing allegations. Two women came forward, each recounting their own traumatic experiences involving Bennett. One woman claimed that Bennett had raped her 20 years earlier when she was just 15 years old. The other woman alleged that he had sexually assaulted her 10 years prior when she was 14. These testimonies added weight to the case and painted a disturbing picture of Bennett’s long history of sexual misconduct.

In a separate but related development, Bennett admitted guilt to possessing indecent photographs of children, with charges covering the period from January 1, 2002, to January 18, 2009. He also pleaded guilty to making indecent photographs of a child within the same timeframe. These admissions further illustrate the extent of his criminal activities, which spanned over several years and involved multiple forms of abuse.

The verdict marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to bring justice to victims of sexual abuse in Northwich and beyond. Bennett now faces the consequences of his actions, which have left a lasting impact on his victims and the community at large.