Man Denies Sex Attacks In Leicestershire And Other Counties

14 February 2019, 15:02

A 53-year-old man has denied carrying out sex attacks against five women between 2009 and 2014.

Jason Lawrance will now face a three-week trial accused of four counts of rape, one of sexual assault and a charge of assault by penetration.

Lawrance, who appeared at Nottingham Crown Court via a prison videolink, spoke only to confirm his name and his not guilty pleas to all the charges, during a 30-minute hearing on Thursday.

Wearing a blue, white and grey rugby shirt, Lawrance, formerly of Arundel Close, Liphook, Hampshire, was remanded into custody to appear for trial in the late summer or autumn of 2019.

The rape charges relate to four women who are said to have been attacked between November 2009 and January 2014.

A fifth complainant is alleged to have been subjected to a sexual assault in 2011.

Adjourning the case until a further hearing on April 1, the Honorary Recorder of Nottingham, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, told Lawrance: "At that hearing you will either join us via videolink or be brought to court if that would be more helpful."

Lawrance was charged earlier this year by Leicestershire Police, which said the offences were alleged to have happened in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.