WIDNES MAN MATTHEW LAWTON SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND GROOMING OF TEEN GIRLS IN SHOCKING CASE

In April 2021, a disturbing case unfolded involving Matthew Lawton, a 29-year-old man from Widnes, who was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses against two teenage girls. The case revealed a pattern of predatory behavior facilitated through social media, specifically Snapchat, where Lawton exploited the vulnerabilities of young girls for his own gratification.

Lawton targeted two girls aged 14 and 13, luring them with offers of cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis. He falsely claimed to be 19 years old in order to deceive them into meeting him in person. Over a period of several months, Lawton persistently pressured the victims to send him explicit photographs. He also filmed the 14-year-old girl, referred to as Girl A, engaging in sexual acts with him. This footage was later used as leverage to blackmail her into further sexual acts, including a rape that occurred after Lawton held a knife to her throat, demonstrating the extreme level of coercion involved.

Adding to the severity of his crimes, Lawton uploaded the video of the sexual act to a Snapchat account called “slags,” which resulted in the footage being circulated further. The video eventually reached the victim’s mother, causing additional trauma and distress. Lawton, of Milton Road in Widnes, claimed he believed the girls were 16 at the time, but this did not prevent his conviction. After a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, he was found guilty of 19 sexual offenses, including multiple counts of rape, sexual activity with a child, and other related charges.

Judge Denis Watson, QC, delivered a stern judgment, stating that Lawton had deliberately manipulated the girls by lying about his age and orchestrating the abuse. The judge emphasized that Lawton’s actions were driven by a serious sexual interest in young girls and that he was well aware of the teenagers’ enjoyment of attention from an older male, despite not revealing his true age. The judge pointed out that Lawton’s typical method involved offering substances like alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis, which made the girls more willing to meet him and engage in sexual activities in secret from their families and friends.

During the sentencing, Judge Watson detailed the prolonged nature of the abuse, which spanned four to five months. Text messages showed Lawton threatening to damage the victims’ family property and to post the explicit video online. One of the most disturbing incidents involved Lawton coercing Girl A into a meeting at his house, where she explicitly expressed her unwillingness to have sex. Despite her protests, Lawton raped her after threatening to damage her mother’s car unless she complied. On another occasion, he coerced her into leaving her home through threats, and she was forced to meet him on a sports ground in the early hours, where he again raped her.

Following her withdrawal from contact, Lawton posted the video online, which was quickly recognized by others and shared further, including being sent directly to her mother. The judge described this as “planned and calculated exploitation,” highlighting Lawton’s intent to control and sexually gratify himself at the expense of a vulnerable teenager.

Prosecutor Sarah Holt presented a victim statement from Girl A, who described suffering panic attacks, nightmares, and self-harming behaviors as a result of the trauma. She expressed her feelings of anger, shame, and helplessness, stating, “He’s a monster, that’s what I call him. He controlled me and he made me go against my parents.” Girl A also recounted her fears of retaliation, mentioning threats from others and her concern that Lawton might return. She said, “I don’t feel safe from him. I feel like the monster has won. I feel like he’s taken my life and taken my childhood.”

While the offenses against Girl B did not involve rape, they included grooming and soliciting sexual images. Girl B described feeling like “a prisoner in my own home” due to her mother’s efforts to protect her, which led to arguments and heightened anxiety. She expressed feelings of constant worry, crying, and being judged by others.

Lawton was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with an extended four-year license period. He was convicted of multiple charges, including four counts of rape, nine counts of sexual activity with a child, and other related offenses. He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence, amounting to 10 years, before being eligible to apply for parole. His release will depend on whether he is deemed no longer a risk to the public. Additionally, Lawton must register as a sex offender and adhere to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

It was noted that Lawton had previously served six years for grievous bodily harm with intent in 2011. During sentencing, Judge Watson acknowledged that Lawton’s parents had not given up on him but also highlighted the sinister aspects of his behavior, including the threatening of a victim with a knife and his willingness to use blackmail to achieve his goals. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the ongoing danger he poses to society.