David Lawn, 62, from Aberford near Leeds, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following his conviction on 16 charges, including three counts of raping a girl under 16. The abuse spanned decades, dating back to the 1990s, and was only uncovered after the victim bravely came forward as an adult.
Leeds Safeguarding Unit launched a comprehensive investigation in 2021. Specialist detectives gathered substantial evidence that led to Lawn being charged and brought to trial at Leeds Crown Court last month.
On Friday 13 February, Lawn received an extended custodial sentence of 20 years, with an additional year on licence. He will also remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and preventing him from evading detection in the future.
The victim released a heartfelt statement describing the impact of the abuse: “As a young child, I learned fear long before I learned safety. I should have been learning to read, to play, to trust — instead I was learning how to disappear inside myself, how to make my body small and my voice smaller.”
She continued, “As I grew older, the confusion hardened into something heavier. I learned to split myself in two — the girl who smiled and played and went to school, and the girl who carried a secret so heavy it bent her spine. This statement is her voice. This process is her truth. This moment is her justice.”
“I hope she can feel proud — proud that I didn’t stay silent. Proud that I fought. Proud that I survived long enough to tell her story. And now, for the first time, I know he cannot reach me. That knowledge is a kind of freedom I have never felt before.”
“I cannot change what happened to me. But I can choose what happens next. I have a voice now. I have truth now. I have strength now. She is scared. I am not.”
Detective Constable Christine Walkin, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s courage and urged others affected by abuse to come forward. She said, “Lawn subjected a vulnerable young girl to a campaign of sickening abuse, which has understandably had a huge impact on her life. After a lengthy investigation, we secured charges against him — all proven in court.”
“The victim showed immense bravery throughout. I hope knowing Lawn is behind bars brings her some comfort as she rebuilds her life.”
“I urge anyone affected by similar abuse to come forward. We take all sexual offences seriously and have specialist officers ready to support and fight for justice.”
For help and advice on reporting sexual abuse, visit the NSPCC website.
Originally published by UKNIP.
