A police worker who carried out a string of sex offences against an underage girl was today jailed for eight years.
Lawrence Dunn, 48, committed the sick crimes while working as a Police Community Support Officer.
He was jailed for eight years at Taunton Crown Court after being found guilty at a previous hearing.
Dunn was convicted of six offences of sexual activity with a child and another two of attempted sexual activity with a child.
It follows an investigation into Dunn’s conduct that began when teenage girl disclosed that she had been abused in 2007.
Right Honourable Judge Solomon told him: “Dunn’s victim was vulnerable and there was a significant age gap between them.
”His actions were of the highest and grossest breach of trust. Dunn’s task and responsibility as a PCSO was to protect this young girl and he did not.”
Dunn was working as a PCSO in Bridgewater at the time the offences took place.
He was handed a life time Sex Offenders Prevention Order and he was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register.
He was also slammed by former police colleagues for refusing to plead guilty – forcing his victim to go through a traumatic trial.
Speaking after the hearing Detective Constable Rebecca Maddison said: “The court heard compelling evidence which highlighted the gross abuse of his position of trust.
“He had every opportunity to plead guilty following this investigation; instead he put his victim through the trauma of a trial.
”The jury found him guilty of eight of the nine offences he was charged with and today he was handed eight years imprisonment.
“It is important to make clear that whilst Dunn resigned from his post in 2008 when investigations into his conduct began he was in post as a PCSO when the crimes were committed, however at this time the victim did not disclose that any offences had taken place therefore the investigation could not be taken any further.
“It is down to the victim’s courage and bravery to speak about the abuse she suffered at the hands of Dunn, that he has been brought to justice for his offences and handed a sentence that reflects the severity of his actions.
“This sentence sends out a clear message to all that behaviour like this will not be tolerated.”
