LAWRENCE LEWIS JAILED IN LEIGH PARK FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN
| Red Rose Database
Waterlooville Child Sexual Abuser
Lawrence Lewis, a 57-year-old shelf-stacker known for dressing as Santa Claus at Christmas time in Asda, Leigh Park, was recognized locally as Father Christmas. Portsmouth Crown Court was told that Lewis, who had a distinctive appearance with a white bushy beard, white curly hair, and a well-built frame, approached two young girls in a pub between December last year and January. Lewis has now been sentenced to 22 months in prison and received a 10-year ban on dressing as Father Christmas.
Prosecutor Robert Forrest explained: "We say that given his conviction for these offences it would be necessary and proportionate to stop him acting as Father Christmas in the foreseeable future."
The court heard how Lewis, of Springwood Avenue, Waterlooville, offered two girls, aged eight and 11, £3 and £4 respectively, to expose themselves at the Wellington pub in Waterlooville. At that time, he was not dressed as Santa. During the sentencing, Recorder Shamim Qureshi commented, "Father Christmas turns out to be a dirty old man," highlighting Lewis's deception.
Mr. Forrest detailed the incidents, stating that Lewis asked the younger girl to show her backside. While the girl informed her mother, she was surprised and gave Lewis the benefit of the doubt. A second girl was interviewed by police, revealing that Lewis had also asked her to see her underpants and offered her £4 to expose herself. Lewis was only caught during a subsequent incident, again targeting the younger girl and offering her £3.
In the final incident in January at the same pub, Lewis again proposed £3 to the younger girl to expose herself. She refused and ran to her mother, revealing Lewis had made similar requests about six times. Police attended and arrested him.
The prosecutor explained that Lewis was known locally as Father Christmas or Santa due to his appearance, admitting in police interviews that he resembled Santa with a white bushy beard, curly hair, and a well-built physique.
A victim personal statement from the older girl’s mother expressed concern: "My daughter is now very suspicious of men and seems to be wary around strangers. I’m now worried and careful to where she is all the time and don’t let her out to play far from the house." The mother of the younger girl added, "My daughter is now very wary of men and will come running indoors if an older man walks past while playing." Mr. Forrest noted, "[The mother] feels guilty for what happened."
Defense solicitor Lian Webster-Martin stated that Lewis felt genuine remorse and did not recall the crimes clearly. She mentioned that he had been drinking for four hours during one incident and added, "He has shaved his beard and he wishes to step away from any suggestion that he is performing that role."
Lewis pleaded guilty to three charges of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Sentencing included 10 months for the incident involving both girls and a consecutive 12 months for another occasion. Additionally, he faces a sexual harm prevention order banning him from speaking to girls under 16 or portraying himself as Santa for 10 years. Lewis will also be required to register as a sex offender for the same period and pay a £100 victim surcharge.
PC Mike Morgan praised the bravery of the victims, stating: "We thank the children for their bravery in coming forward to give evidence."
Prosecutor Robert Forrest explained: "We say that given his conviction for these offences it would be necessary and proportionate to stop him acting as Father Christmas in the foreseeable future."
The court heard how Lewis, of Springwood Avenue, Waterlooville, offered two girls, aged eight and 11, £3 and £4 respectively, to expose themselves at the Wellington pub in Waterlooville. At that time, he was not dressed as Santa. During the sentencing, Recorder Shamim Qureshi commented, "Father Christmas turns out to be a dirty old man," highlighting Lewis's deception.
Mr. Forrest detailed the incidents, stating that Lewis asked the younger girl to show her backside. While the girl informed her mother, she was surprised and gave Lewis the benefit of the doubt. A second girl was interviewed by police, revealing that Lewis had also asked her to see her underpants and offered her £4 to expose herself. Lewis was only caught during a subsequent incident, again targeting the younger girl and offering her £3.
In the final incident in January at the same pub, Lewis again proposed £3 to the younger girl to expose herself. She refused and ran to her mother, revealing Lewis had made similar requests about six times. Police attended and arrested him.
The prosecutor explained that Lewis was known locally as Father Christmas or Santa due to his appearance, admitting in police interviews that he resembled Santa with a white bushy beard, curly hair, and a well-built physique.
A victim personal statement from the older girl’s mother expressed concern: "My daughter is now very suspicious of men and seems to be wary around strangers. I’m now worried and careful to where she is all the time and don’t let her out to play far from the house." The mother of the younger girl added, "My daughter is now very wary of men and will come running indoors if an older man walks past while playing." Mr. Forrest noted, "[The mother] feels guilty for what happened."
Defense solicitor Lian Webster-Martin stated that Lewis felt genuine remorse and did not recall the crimes clearly. She mentioned that he had been drinking for four hours during one incident and added, "He has shaved his beard and he wishes to step away from any suggestion that he is performing that role."
Lewis pleaded guilty to three charges of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Sentencing included 10 months for the incident involving both girls and a consecutive 12 months for another occasion. Additionally, he faces a sexual harm prevention order banning him from speaking to girls under 16 or portraying himself as Santa for 10 years. Lewis will also be required to register as a sex offender for the same period and pay a £100 victim surcharge.
PC Mike Morgan praised the bravery of the victims, stating: "We thank the children for their bravery in coming forward to give evidence."