LAWRENCE BOLTON FROM HELLINGLY CAUGHT IN SCANDAL INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRL IN HUDDERSFIELD TRAVELODGE

In January 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Lawrence Bolton, a man from Hellingly, East Sussex, who traveled a significant distance to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl in Huddersfield. The incident highlights the dangers of online communication and the importance of vigilance among parents and authorities.

According to court reports, Bolton, aged 23 and residing on New Road in Hellingly, had initiated contact with the young girl through Facebook when she was only 14 years old. Over a period of nearly two years, the two maintained a messaging relationship, during which Bolton sent her friend requests and engaged in conversations that eventually led to their meeting.

It was in Huddersfield town centre that Bolton and the girl first met face-to-face. Following their initial encounter, Bolton took her to a room at the Travelodge located on Leeds Road. The details of their meeting, as presented in court, revealed that the pair engaged in what was described as 'fully consensual sex.' However, the Leeds Crown Court heard that this was the girl’s first sexual experience, and during the act, Bolton stopped when she indicated that it was hurting her.

Further complicating the case, Bolton and the girl met on one additional occasion. Despite their physical relationship, both parties agreed to wait until she reached the age of consent before engaging in sexual activity again. The situation came to light when the girl’s parents became aware of her communication with Bolton, leading them to report the matter to the police.

Prosecutor Philip Standfast clarified that, although Bolton had communicated with the girl over social media, his prior interactions were not classified as grooming for sexual purposes. Despite this, Bolton was charged and pleaded guilty to one count of sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. Notably, Bolton has no previous criminal convictions, which was acknowledged during the proceedings.

During the hearing, defence lawyer David Bradshaw emphasized that Bolton was not a predatory individual seeking victims online. He stated, “This was not a man trawling the internet looking for a victim. Both agreed to experiment and when the experiment went wrong it stopped.” Bradshaw also highlighted that Bolton works 30 hours a week across seven days, suggesting a responsible employment record.

Judge Simon Phillips QC addressed Bolton directly, describing the incident as an 'experimental incident' that would not be repeated. As part of his sentence, Bolton was given a 24-month community order, which includes a requirement to complete a 50-day rehabilitation activity program. Additionally, he is mandated to comply with a five-year notification requirement and pay costs amounting to £300. The case underscores the serious legal and social consequences of engaging in sexual activities with minors, especially when involving travel and online communication.