TIMOTHY LAWRENCE OF PURBOOK AND WATERLOOVILLE SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY BEHAVIOR INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Purbook and Waterlooville, Timothy Lawrence, a convicted sex offender, has been sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment following his heinous actions targeting vulnerable young girls. The disturbing sequence of events began when Lawrence, who had recently been released from prison after serving time for attempting to kidnap a child, took to the streets of the Havant borough area, where he displayed a blatant disregard for safety and the law.

Lawrence was seen scrawling his mobile phone number on bus stops outside local schools, a tactic that drew the attention of local authorities and concerned residents alike. This act was part of a broader pattern of predatory behavior aimed at luring young girls into dangerous situations. The police investigation revealed that Lawrence had specifically targeted two girls, aged 15 and 12, in this malicious scheme.

According to reports, the 15-year-old girl, who was approached after Lawrence's contact details were publicly displayed, was persuaded to meet him. Under the false pretense that he was a peer of her age, Lawrence arranged to meet her in Waterlooville, where he had set up a tent in some woods. Over the course of several months, he engaged in sexual abuse, causing significant trauma to the victim. The girl’s mother discovered disturbing images of Lawrence on her daughter’s mobile phone, which prompted her to confront her daughter. The young girl then disclosed the full extent of the abuse, leading to police intervention.

Meanwhile, the 12-year-old girl was subjected to relentless harassment through sexually explicit text messages and images sent by Lawrence, despite her refusal to meet him in person. Law enforcement officials traced these messages back to Lawrence after a search of his residence on Stakes Road, Purbook. During the search, officers uncovered four mobile phones hidden throughout his home, which contained evidence linking him to the victims.

Further investigation revealed that Lawrence had falsely claimed to be a 15-year-old named Eddy in his communications with the 12-year-old girl. Over a period of three months, the predator exchanged approximately 500 text messages with her, many of which included requests for sexual activity. Detective Constable Jamie Palmer emphasized the gravity of the case, stating, “This case has caused great distress to both families, with young girls that are at a time in their lives when they are easily influenced. It has caused problems for the girls at school and at home.”

Lawrence, aged 32, faced a court hearing at Portsmouth Crown Court, where he was handed an indeterminate sentence of imprisonment for public protection. The judge, Roger Hetherington, ordered that Lawrence serve a minimum of two and a half years before being eligible for parole. However, the judge also made it clear that it was highly unlikely Lawrence would be released anytime soon, leaving his future detention to the discretion of the parole board.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Hetherington underscored the severity of Lawrence’s actions and the potential danger he posed to society, especially to young and impressionable girls. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures in communities like Purbook and Waterlooville, where predators may attempt to exploit vulnerabilities for their own malicious purposes.