FORMER SOLDIER SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR BREAKING INTO WOMAN'S HOME AND ASSAULTING HER
A man named Raymond Lawrence, aged 32, who was a former soldier, committed a severe assault on a woman in her home last year in Cardiff.He broke into her residence and confronted her, leaving her frightened.
According to court reports, he pushed her into a bedroom, prevented her from leaving, and when she screamed, he covered her mouth.
During the incident, he strangled her and also forcibly sexually assaulted her while holding her down with one hand.
Prosecutors stated that Lawrence then took a hairspray can and sprayed the aerosol into her nose and mouth until the nozzle broke.
The victim managed to escape by running downstairs and out of the front door, shouting for help.
Lawrence fled the scene, and the police were alerted.
The woman sustained multiple injuries including swelling, cuts inside her lip, a 2cm abrasion, lacerations, and an injury around her neck.
Lawrence initially denied the crimes but later pleaded guilty to assault by penetration.
The court learned that he has 26 previous convictions, including violence, harassment, criminal damage, and drug offenses, and is also breaching a suspended sentence for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The victim's statement expressed ongoing trauma and fear, describing nightmares, difficulty sleeping, and the feeling of being violated and insecure in her own home.
In mitigation, it was revealed that Lawrence had a troubled upbringing, witnessed his father abusing his mother, spent time in women's shelters, and suffers from PTSD after serving in the Army.
Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Lawrence to six years in prison, imposed lifetime sex offender notification requirements, and a ten-year restraining order.
The court emphasized the victim's feelings of violation and insecurity caused by the attack.
