GARY LAWRENCE SHOCKS PLYMOUTH WITH CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ONLINE PREDATION

A trainee medical professional, Gary Lawrence, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a young girl during a medical examination at an NHS clinic in Plymouth. The disturbing case also revealed Lawrence’s disturbing online behavior, where he was caught in an undercover police operation sending explicit fantasies about child sex to a decoy officer on a chat platform. Lawrence, aged 53 and residing in Honicknowle, Plymouth, had retrained as a doctor in his 40s and was in the final stages of his training when the assault occurred in 2021.

During the examination, the girl’s mother was present and became suspicious when Lawrence’s actions appeared unnecessary and inappropriate. She noticed that there was no legitimate medical reason for Lawrence to touch her daughter’s genitals, which raised alarm bells. Her vigilance and concern played a crucial role in bringing the case to justice. The court heard that the assault took place in June 2021, and the mother’s testimony was instrumental in highlighting the breach of trust and the severity of the incident.

At Exeter Crown Court, Judge Mr. Donald Tait commended the mother for her dedication and courage in pursuing justice, expressing regret for the delay of more than two years since the crime was committed. Lawrence, who denied the sexual assault charge, was convicted in July after a trial at Plymouth Crown Court. In addition to the assault, Lawrence admitted to publishing two obscene articles and downloading five counts of indecent images of children, which further underscored his disturbing behavior.

The court imposed a comprehensive set of restrictions on Lawrence’s future interactions with children. He was ordered to be subject to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits any unsupervised contact with minors. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and barred from working with children by the Disclosure and Barring Service. The judge emphasized that despite Lawrence’s denials, the evidence clearly indicated a pattern of deviant behavior, including extensive online viewing of indecent images of children and engagement with an undercover officer.

The judge highlighted the gravity of the breach of trust, especially considering the young age of the victim. “It is hard to conceive a more flagrant and serious breach of trust than this,” he stated. The court also acknowledged the impact on the victim’s family, with the girl’s mother present in court. The judge expressed gratitude for her efforts, stating, “On behalf of the court, I thank you for your dedication to see this man was brought to justice. It was thanks to you this was achieved. I hope you have some element of closure by the sentences I have imposed upon him.”

Prosecutor Mr. Rowan Jenkins detailed the extent of Lawrence’s online misconduct, revealing that he had downloaded approximately 15,000 images and videos depicting child abuse, with 386 movies and 1,410 photos classified as the most severe category. Many of these images depicted toddlers and very young children, some appearing distressed, which added to the heinous nature of his offenses.

Lawrence’s defense attorney, Mr. Deni Matthews, explained that his client’s online activity began during a period of excessive drinking, which led him into increasingly extreme material before he committed the physical assault. He acknowledged that Lawrence understood the gravity of his sentence and expressed that his career and personal life had been irreparably damaged.

Law enforcement officials, including Detective Chief Inspector Simon Foster from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), welcomed the sentence. Foster described Lawrence’s crimes as among the most egregious breaches of trust imaginable for a medical professional. He detailed the extensive collection of indecent images, including 2,000 Category A images, which are classified as the most serious. Foster emphasized that the police’s advanced technological capabilities and dedicated detectives had been crucial in uncovering the truth and ensuring justice.

Foster also praised the bravery of the victim and her family for coming forward, noting that their cooperation was vital in securing the conviction. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable, warning potential offenders that law enforcement is vigilant and capable of catching those who abuse the internet for deviant purposes.

Anyone affected by the issues raised in this case is encouraged to contact police through the Force website or call 101. The NSPCC’s free 24-hour helpline, 0808 800 5000, remains available for individuals seeking confidential advice or wishing to report recent or historical sexual abuse, with the option to remain anonymous.