LAWRENCE FERNANDES FROM ROMSEY AND ROMSEY'S DARK PAST: SHOCKING CHILD RAPE CASE IN DEVON AND SOUTHAMPTON

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Romsey, Southampton, and Teignmouth, Lawrence Fernandes, a man with a troubling history of grooming and abusing a young girl, has seen his prison sentence significantly increased following an appeal. Fernandes, aged 35 and residing on Foundry Lane in Southampton, was initially sentenced to six years in August after being convicted of two counts of rape and two counts of indecency. However, the Court of Appeal deemed his original sentence unduly lenient and has doubled it to a total of 12 years.

The heinous crimes date back to 2003, when Fernandes first came into contact with his victim, a then 13-year-old girl. The court heard that Fernandes, who was 23 at the time, engaged in a deceitful relationship with her, falsely claiming to be younger to conceal his true age. He met her through an online chat room, a method increasingly used by predators to target vulnerable minors. From Hampshire, Fernandes traveled to Devon, specifically to the seaside town of Teignmouth, to meet the girl in person.

The first assault occurred in a lane near her home in Teignmouth, where Fernandes raped her during their initial meeting. The court was told that Fernandes, who was also a church-going air cadet volunteer, exploited her trust and vulnerability. To manipulate her further, he presented her with various gifts, including a novelty teddy bear that contained a recording of his voice, in which he professed his love and urged her to listen to it every night before sleeping. The court also heard that Fernandes gave her other presents, such as underwear, and encouraged her to dress more maturely.

The abuse persisted until the girl, feeling increasingly distressed and frightened, confronted Fernandes in a public park in Teignmouth. During this confrontation, she shouted at him, accusing him of being a paedophile and demanding that he leave her alone. The judge described Fernandes’ actions as an exploitation of her vulnerability, highlighting the predatory nature of his conduct.

Solicitor General Robert Buckland publicly called for a review of Fernandes’ sentence, emphasizing the profound impact his actions had on his young victim. Buckland expressed hope that the increased sentence would provide some measure of justice and reassurance to the girl, stating, “I hope that today has offered her a degree of comfort knowing that her attacker’s sentence is now 12 years.”

This case is not Fernandes’ first encounter with the law regarding child abuse. In August 2015, he was convicted of similar crimes involving the same girl, whom he had groomed and raped. During that trial, Fernandes was accused of showering her with gifts, including a teddy bear with a recording of his voice, which he instructed her to listen to nightly. The court heard that Fernandes traveled from Hampshire to Devon to meet her after befriending her online, and that he committed the assaults at various locations, including a hotel and in the back of his car.

Despite denying the charges, Fernandes was found guilty of two counts of rape, one of indecency with a child, and one of indecent assault. The prosecutor, Nigel Wraith, detailed how Fernandes had lied about his age and used gifts, money, and alcohol to manipulate the girl. The victim’s statement revealed the profound and lasting damage caused by Fernandes’ actions, describing how she felt like a ‘whore’ and how her life had been irrevocably changed.

The court also noted that Fernandes had been a different man in recent years, having spent the last 12 years not offending and engaging in community work, including activities with the church and the air cadets. The judge acknowledged Fernandes’ efforts to turn his life around but emphasized that his past actions warranted a substantial prison sentence. Fernandes, from Romsey in Hampshire, was expected to serve approximately three years of his 12-year sentence before being eligible for release on licence. Additionally, he was subjected to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, aimed at preventing any future offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by individuals who exploit their positions of trust and manipulate vulnerable minors for their own gratification, leaving lasting scars on their victims and communities alike.