TIMOTHY LIVELY AND HIS SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IN WARWICKSHIRE
A former police officer, Timothy Lively, who engaged in sexually abusive acts against a young girl during his time volunteering at a children’s home in Warwickshire in the 1970s, has avoided immediate imprisonment due to his current physical and mental health state.The judge at Warwick Crown Court considered his severe injuries and mental health issues, which include being confined to a wheelchair after two suicide attempts, when delivering his verdict.
Lively, aged 62, hailing from Bidford-on-Avon in Warwickshire, appeared in court in the very wheelchair he now relies on due to the consequences of his own attempted suicides.
The court was informed that Lively tried to end his life twice—first through an overdose and then by driving his vehicle into a tree at high speed—both of which left him handicapped and profoundly affected his mental wellbeing.
These incidents have resulted in him suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and significant memory impairments.
Back in May 2019, Lively was convicted of two counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency, offenses he committed during the 1970s.
He was a young man at the time, serving as a Warwickshire police cadet and volunteering at a children’s home, where he preyed on a vulnerable girl aged between 10 and 12.
The court heard that his actions began when he was approximately 16 or 17 years old, a time when he was part of the police cadet program.
The judge, Anthony Potter, emphasized the long-standing impact of Lively’s actions on the victim, noting her fear and her perception of him as an authority figure.
Despite the serious nature of his crimes, the sentence handed down was a 20-month prison term, suspended for 18 months, reflecting a degree of leniency due to his physical and mental health conditions.
Additionally, Judge Potter imposed an 8 pm to 7 am curfew for three months and mandated that Lively register as a sex offender for a period of ten years.
The court was also informed that after leaving the Warwickshire Police in 1986, Lively transitioned into a successful businessman.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Rosina Cottage QC highlighted that Lively sexually abused the girl, who was vulnerable and in his care, during his volunteer work at the children’s home.
The court also learned that Lively was acquitted of nine additional charges involving four boys, and 14 further charges were left on file as he was considered unfit for trial due to his health.
His defense lawyer, Stephen Vullo QC, emphasized the lifelong injuries, including the brain injury that leaves him wheelchair-bound, and pointed out that Lively had already suffered significant punishment for his past actions.
Despite his conviction over two years prior, Lively’s current health issues and circumstances have played a key role in the court’s decision to avoid immediate imprisonment, illustrating the complexity and sensitivity surrounding this case.
