RONALD LAWES SENTENCED IN SPAIN FOR BRUTAL SEXUAL ASSAULT IN BRENTWOOD

In a case that spanned decades and crossed international borders, Ronald Lawes, a 93-year-old man now residing in Spain, was convicted and sentenced for a disturbing sexual assault that occurred in Brentwood nearly 30 years ago.

The incident took place in 1992 when Lawes, then aged 67, engaged in a heinous act against an 11-year-old girl. According to court records, Lawes forcibly kissed the young girl and touched her under her clothing, actions that were clearly motivated by sexual intent. The assault was not reported or discovered until 2017, when the victim, now an adult woman, courageously came forward to authorities to recount her traumatic experience.

Lawes appeared before Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, March 13, in a wheelchair, dressed in a blue and white striped shirt and a cream knitted jumper. His appearance was marked by a moment of physical instability; as Judge Christopher Morgan entered the courtroom, Lawes attempted to stand but subsequently fell to the floor. He was assisted back into his wheelchair and remained seated for the duration of the proceedings.

Prosecutor QC Christopher Paxton detailed the disturbing nature of the assault, emphasizing that Lawes had tried to put his tongue in the girl’s mouth and had placed his hand under her clothing, touching her pubic bone and breast. The victim managed to escape from Lawes’ grasp, an act that prompted him to tell her, “this is our little secret,” in an attempt to silence her.

During the court hearing, the victim’s statement was read aloud, revealing the profound and lasting impact of the assault on her life. She described how the event, which occurred when she was just 11, haunted her for years. “The whole event 25 years ago has played on my mind since,” she said. She explained that from the ages of 11 to 18, she struggled with her self-esteem, had difficulty forming relationships, and lacked confidence, all of which she attributed to the trauma inflicted by Lawes.

The statement also expressed her feelings of guilt and her ongoing efforts to cope, including attending counseling to deal with the emotional scars left by the assault. The victim’s decision to come forward in 2017 was supported by her cooperation with Detective Constable Gemma Bristow from the West Child Abuse Investigation Team.

Lawes initially denied the allegations but voluntarily presented himself for questioning. It was only after further investigation that he pleaded guilty to indecent assault on March 12. The court heard that Lawes’ actions were clearly sexually motivated, with Judge Morgan describing how Lawes had tried to open the girl’s legs and had attempted to coerce her into keeping the incident a secret.

Judge Morgan commended the victim’s bravery in resisting the assault as a young girl and praised her resilience in coming forward after so many years. He acknowledged the profound and lasting trauma caused by Lawes’ actions, noting that her mental health and relationships had been significantly affected.

Despite Lawes’ advanced age and health concerns, the judge emphasized that these factors would not prevent a custodial sentence. It was noted that in 2016, Lawes was described as an “extremely fit 90-year-old.”

Ultimately, Judge Morgan sentenced Lawes to two years in prison. He stated that Lawes would serve half of this sentence behind bars and the remaining time on license, reflecting the severity of the crime and the need for accountability.