SEX OFFENDER SENT BACK BEHIND BARS FOR TRAVEL VIOLATIONS
A convicted sex offender named Ronald Lawrence, aged 65, from Florence Road, Bournemouth, has been sent back behind bars after failing to notify police of his travel plans.The Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Lawrence had previously been jailed for 12 years at Cardiff Crown Court on July 18, 1990, for sexual offences.
Prosecutor Clifford Grier revealed that Lawrence flew from Heathrow to Georgia on January 21 of this year and returned on March 10.
During police interviews, Lawrence admitted he had not informed authorities about his trip, which he made to see his wife who was reportedly unwell and involved in a family dispute.
He explained to officers that his wife lived in Georgia and that he was worried that if the police told the authorities there about his status as a sex offender, their lives could be at risk.
Lawrence further stated that he was concerned about their safety and made the decision to travel there, being out of the country for approximately seven weeks, hoping the police would not discover his whereabouts.
During the trial, his defense lawyer Robert Grey highlighted that Lawrence had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and requested the court to consider his age.
He also mentioned that Lawrence’s wife has since returned to England, and they now live separately but not as husband and wife.
Recorder Sarah Munro QC sentenced Lawrence to four months in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of the offence and the need for a custodial sentence.
The judge expressed the hope that this would be the last time Lawrence breaches his notification obligations and urged him to comply in the future.
