Dating site rapist won’t take witness stand in trial
Man is on trial accused of attacking woman he met on internet
A SERIAL rapist who is on trial accused of attacking women he met on dating websites has opted not to give evidence in his defence.
Nottingham Crown Court was told on Wednesday that Jason Lawrance, who denies raping five women and sexually assaulting another, would not be entering the witness box to answer questions.
Lawrance was charged earlier this year by Leicestershire Police, which said the offences were alleged to have happened in areas including Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.
The Crown alleges the 54-year-old attacked the women he met from match.com or its partner company Dating Direct between 2009 and 2014 to “satisfy a selfish sexual need”.
A jury panel of six men and six women has already heard how Lawrance had been convicted at Derby Crown Court in 2016 of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault against seven women he met on the same site.
The current trial, which began earlier this month, has heard the six alleged victims had come forward following the previous proceedings having seen his name in news reports.
After defence QC David Emmanuel told Mr Justice Jeremy Baker that the defendant would not be called into the witness box, the trial judge asked: “Have you advised him that the stage has now been reached at which he may give evidence, and if he chooses not to do so the jury may draw such inferences as appear proper from his failure to do so?”
Mr Emmanuel replied: “Yes, I have, My Lord.”
Jurors were expected to hear closing speeches in the case, before being sent out to consider verdicts.
Lawrance, who used to live in the Hinckley area and is also formerly of Arundel Close, Liphook, Hampshire, denies seven counts of rape, one charge of sexual assault and a further charge of assault by penetration.
The trial continues