TATTOOED CHILD RAPIST CAUGHT OUT BY VILE SNAPCHAT HE USED FOR BLACKMAIL
A man with tattoos, involved in paedophilia, who recorded himself engaging in sexual activities with a girl, was caught after he maliciously uploaded the video online.He groomed two teenagers via Snapchat, enticing them with cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis.
The 29-year-old falsely claimed to be 19 to persuade the children to meet him for sex.
He recorded Girl A, aged 14, and used the footage to blackmail her into meeting him again, during which he repeatedly raped her.
He then uploaded the video to a Snapchat account named "slags," which led to the girl being identified and the clip being forwarded to her mother.
Lawton was identified by his distinctive tattoos, including one depicting a woman with the phrase "Beauty is skin deep" on his arm, and another inscribed with "Grandad." Police seized evidence including videos, text messages, and photographs exchanged between Lawton and his victims.
The investigation uncovered that, after being released on bail related to the incident with Girl A, he reached out to Girl B, aged 13, and later claimed he believed both girls were over 16.
He was convicted of 19 sexual offences at Liverpool Crown Court and sentenced to 15 years in prison, with an additional four years on license.
He will serve at least two-thirds of his sentence (10 years) before being eligible for parole, and will be registered as a sex offender and subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The victims experienced panic attacks, self-harm, and emotional distress, with Girl A describing Lawton as a "monster" who robbed her of her childhood.
Detective Sergeant Gary McClatchey commended the victims’ bravery and the police efforts that led to Lawton’s conviction.
Additionally, Lawton’s contact with Girl B after his release evidenced his lack of remorse and disregard for his victims.
The investigation involved cooperation with a local high school, which aided in identifying Lawton through his tattoos and online postings.
