Locations
Orchard Square, Redfield, Bristol, BS5
Description
A victim of child sexual abuse bravely told a court how his life has been decimated as a result.
He said being molested at the hands of Christopher Lawrence caused him trust issues, ruined relationships and prompted him to seek solace in obsessive behaviour.
He told Bristol Crown Court: "I've realised how much the abuse affected me and how much it changed my life."
Lawrence, 72, of Orchard Square in Redfield, Bristol, pleaded guilty to nine historical charges of indecent assault on a male.
The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair QC jailed him for 10 years at a sentencing hearing today (Wednesday, January 12).
The judge told Lawrence: "I have taken account of the victim personal statement which [was] bravely read out, explaining the impact he has faced throughout his life as a result of sexual offences on him when he was aged five to 12.
"The impact has been severe, prolonged harm."
Kannan Siva, prosecuting, told the court Lawrence repeatedly sexually abused the victim by touching his private parts.
Though the victim confided, aged 15, to his family that Lawrence abused him, at that time he did not wish to make a complaint to police.
But the court heard in 2019 he did report the abuse - but Lawrence made no comment.
'I gave the image of a happy child'
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court: "It had a huge impact on my life.
"As a child I was determined to be very strong.
"I didn't want to tell anyone.
"I gave the image of a happy child but I was not happy inside."
He described how the abuse prompted him to seek comfort in obsessive behaviour, which went on to ruin both relationships and his finances.