LAWRENCE BOUSFIELD'S SHOCKING SEX OFFENSES IN HEXHAM: JAIL SENTENCE DOUBLED BY APPEAL COURT
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Hexham Sexual Abuser
In March 2011, a significant legal development occurred concerning Lawrence Bousfield, a resident of Hexham, Northumberland, who was previously convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving a young girl. The case drew considerable attention due to the severity of the crimes and the subsequent legal proceedings that followed.
Initially, Bousfield, a 50-year-old farmer from Low Stokoe, Falstone, Hexham, was sentenced to four years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard that he had committed multiple indecent assaults on a girl who was only 11 years old at the time. The assaults were described as a wave of disturbing attacks that escalated over time, with the jury finding him guilty of six charges of indecent assault. Throughout the trial, Bousfield maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and showing no remorse for his actions, which shocked the community and his family.
Following his conviction, Bousfield was subjected to a series of restrictions, including a sex offenders prevention order that prohibited him from being alone with any girl under 18. He was also barred from working with children or vulnerable adults and was required to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The victimâs parents expressed their profound shock and distress in a statement, emphasizing the devastating impact of the abuse not only on their daughter but also on their entire family. Prosecutor Penny Moreland highlighted that the case underscored how such offenses ripple through families and communities.
However, the case did not end there. The Attorney-Generalâs office, represented by Dominic Grieve QC, challenged the original sentence, arguing that it was unduly lenient given the gravity of the crimes. The appeal was heard in Londonâs Court of Appeal, where Lord Justice Thomas, alongside Mr. Justice Treacy and Mr. Justice Cranston, reviewed the case. The judges agreed that the initial four-year sentence did not adequately reflect the seriousness of Bousfieldâs conduct, especially considering how his abuse of the girl intensified over time and the psychological harm inflicted.
Lord Justice Thomas explicitly stated that Bousfieldâs actions constituted an âexceptionally grave course of conductâ and that the psychological damage to the victim was âenormous.â He noted that the victim had resisted Bousfieldâs advances and tried to deter him, but he remained undeterred. The judge also pointed out the profound impact on the victimâs parents, describing it as âdevastating.â
Consequently, the Court of Appeal increased Bousfieldâs prison term from four to eight years, emphasizing that the original sentence was âunduly lenientâ given the severity of the offenses. The courtâs decision was a response to the âcatalogue of offendingâ and the need for a punishment that more accurately reflected the gravity of his crimes.
During the original sentencing, Judge Roger Thorn at Newcastle Crown Court had criticized Bousfield for showing no remorse and even suggesting that the evidence was weak. He described the abuse as persistent and increasing, warning that redemption would only be possible if Bousfield admitted his guilt. The court also imposed a lifelong ban on him working with children or vulnerable adults and mandated registration as a sex offender for life.
In a victim impact statement, the girlâs parents expressed their âgross shockâ upon learning of the abuse, underscoring the profound and lasting impact on their family. Defense lawyer Alec Burns presented testimonials praising Bousfieldâs character and suggested that prison would be particularly difficult for him, given his life on the farm, which was both his home and livelihood. The farm has since been left to his brother and wife, as Bousfieldâs actions have led to his fall from grace within the community.
Overall, the case of Lawrence Bousfield in Hexham highlights the serious consequences of sexual offenses and the judicial systemâs efforts to ensure that sentences reflect the true gravity of such crimes, especially when they involve vulnerable victims.
Initially, Bousfield, a 50-year-old farmer from Low Stokoe, Falstone, Hexham, was sentenced to four years in prison at Newcastle Crown Court. The court heard that he had committed multiple indecent assaults on a girl who was only 11 years old at the time. The assaults were described as a wave of disturbing attacks that escalated over time, with the jury finding him guilty of six charges of indecent assault. Throughout the trial, Bousfield maintained his innocence, denying all allegations and showing no remorse for his actions, which shocked the community and his family.
Following his conviction, Bousfield was subjected to a series of restrictions, including a sex offenders prevention order that prohibited him from being alone with any girl under 18. He was also barred from working with children or vulnerable adults and was required to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The victimâs parents expressed their profound shock and distress in a statement, emphasizing the devastating impact of the abuse not only on their daughter but also on their entire family. Prosecutor Penny Moreland highlighted that the case underscored how such offenses ripple through families and communities.
However, the case did not end there. The Attorney-Generalâs office, represented by Dominic Grieve QC, challenged the original sentence, arguing that it was unduly lenient given the gravity of the crimes. The appeal was heard in Londonâs Court of Appeal, where Lord Justice Thomas, alongside Mr. Justice Treacy and Mr. Justice Cranston, reviewed the case. The judges agreed that the initial four-year sentence did not adequately reflect the seriousness of Bousfieldâs conduct, especially considering how his abuse of the girl intensified over time and the psychological harm inflicted.
Lord Justice Thomas explicitly stated that Bousfieldâs actions constituted an âexceptionally grave course of conductâ and that the psychological damage to the victim was âenormous.â He noted that the victim had resisted Bousfieldâs advances and tried to deter him, but he remained undeterred. The judge also pointed out the profound impact on the victimâs parents, describing it as âdevastating.â
Consequently, the Court of Appeal increased Bousfieldâs prison term from four to eight years, emphasizing that the original sentence was âunduly lenientâ given the severity of the offenses. The courtâs decision was a response to the âcatalogue of offendingâ and the need for a punishment that more accurately reflected the gravity of his crimes.
During the original sentencing, Judge Roger Thorn at Newcastle Crown Court had criticized Bousfield for showing no remorse and even suggesting that the evidence was weak. He described the abuse as persistent and increasing, warning that redemption would only be possible if Bousfield admitted his guilt. The court also imposed a lifelong ban on him working with children or vulnerable adults and mandated registration as a sex offender for life.
In a victim impact statement, the girlâs parents expressed their âgross shockâ upon learning of the abuse, underscoring the profound and lasting impact on their family. Defense lawyer Alec Burns presented testimonials praising Bousfieldâs character and suggested that prison would be particularly difficult for him, given his life on the farm, which was both his home and livelihood. The farm has since been left to his brother and wife, as Bousfieldâs actions have led to his fall from grace within the community.
Overall, the case of Lawrence Bousfield in Hexham highlights the serious consequences of sexual offenses and the judicial systemâs efforts to ensure that sentences reflect the true gravity of such crimes, especially when they involve vulnerable victims.