May 2003 Child rapists jailed Two brothers were jailed yesterday for a series of child rapes dating back to the 1970s. Ian Lawrence (40), of Herrick Road, Alum Rock, Saltley, and Colin Lawrence (42), of Beaumont Road, Halesowen, were convicted on 13 charges of rape and indecent assault and were sentenced to 12 and ten years respectively. They had denied the charges. April 2003 Brothers deny child sex attacks Two brothers yesterday denied child sex offences dating back 20 years. Ian Lawrence (40) of Herrick Road, Alum Rock, Saltley, and Colin Lawrence (42) of Beaumont Road, Halesowen, both pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of rape and indecent assault. A jury at Birmingham Crown Court was told how the brothers allegedly attacked three different girls at various addresses during the late 1970s. One victim told how each brother carried out separate assaults over a four-year period. The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said she only realised the abuse was serious when she was baptised. I was taught the law of chastity and how we should save our bodies for married life,” she said. “That was when I knew it was wrong.” A second woman also told the court how she had been systematically abused by the Lawrence brothers. Rachel Brand QC, prosecuting, said the attacks had continued for “many, many years” before the authorities became involved. But Jane McCur QC, defending Colin Lawrence, said the first woman’s allegations were the product of a fanciful imagination. She said: “Your memory is playing tricks on you and I suggest that you are moving your steps all the time to suit your case.” Frances Oldham, defending Ian Lawrence, said her client had never carried out any form of sex attack. She said: “You have made this up about Ian Lawrence and I suggest that he has never sexually abused you at all.”