LAWRENCE DUNN, FORMER PCSO, SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON IN BURNHAM FOLLOWING SEXUAL OFFENCES

In November 2012, Lawrence Dunn, a 48-year-old former Police Community Support Officer from Axbridge Close in Burnham, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences involving a young girl.

Dunn was found guilty at Taunton Crown Court on October 8 of six counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of attempted sexual activity with a child. The investigation into Dunn’s conduct was initiated after a teenage girl disclosed that she had been abused by him in 2007.

Detective Constable Rebecca Maddison explained, “Lawrence Dunn was found guilty of eight offences of sexual contact with a child in October following a trial at Exeter Crown Court. He committed these crimes in 2007 while serving as a Police Community Support Officer for Avon and Somerset Constabulary.”

She further stated, “The court heard compelling evidence at this trial which highlighted the gross abuse of his position of trust. He had every opportunity to plead guilty following this investigation; instead he put his victim through the trauma of a trial. The jury found him guilty of eight of the nine offences he was charged with, and today he was handed eight years' imprisonment.”

Regarding Dunn’s resignation, she added, “It is important to make clear that while Dunn resigned from his post in 2008 when the investigation into his conduct began, he was a PCSO when the crimes were committed. At that time, the victim did not disclose any offences, so the investigation could not proceed further.”

Maddison praised the victim’s bravery, stating, “It is down to the victim’s courage and bravery to speak about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Dunn that he has been brought to justice and received a sentence that reflects the severity of his actions. This sentence sends out a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

On sentencing, Right Honourable Judge Solomon remarked, “Dunn’s victim was vulnerable, and there was a significant age gap between them. His actions represent a gross breach of trust. Dunn’s role as a PCSO was to protect this young girl, and he failed in that duty.”

In addition to his prison sentence, Dunn was issued a lifetime Sex Offenders Prevention Order and is required to register on the sex offenders' register.