Man sentenced to 15 years in jail following the historic rape of two women and sexual assault of another woman

Content Warning: The following press release may contain distressing information related to rape and sexual assault.

Today (Friday 1 December 2023), Lawrence Jones faced sentencing at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of the historic rape of two women in Greater Manchester. It comes after Jones was also previously convicted earlier this year (January 2023) for the sexual assault of another woman.

Read the full story leading up to Jones’ conviction here.

Lawrence Jones (01/08/1968) of Brooks Drive in Hale Barns was sentenced for two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

- For the rape against Woman A - he was sentenced to a 14 year imprisonment.

- For the rape of Woman B  - he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment to run concurrently.

- For the sexual assault of Woman C - he was sentenced to one year imprisonment to run consecutively.

This is a total imprisonment of 15 years in jail.

Jones will also be registered on the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Stewart of Greater Manchester Police said: "Our heartfelt appreciation goes to the remarkably courageous women who stepped forward to share the harrowing experiences they endured at the hands of Jones. Their bravery and strength have been instrumental in holding Lawrence Jones accountable for his heinous actions. We express our sincere thanks for their immense bravery throughout this challenging investigation and trial. With this sentencing, we aim to deliver a clear message to survivors of rape and other sexual offenses — Greater Manchester Police will listen and will support you no matter who was involved or when it happened. No one should carry the weight of silence, and we encourage all victims to step forward and report these crimes to us. Greater Manchester Police remains dedicated in our unwavering pursuit of those responsible for rape and other sexual offenses. We also remain committed to protecting and safeguarding victims and survivors, ensuring they receive the support and justice they rightfully deserve.”

Report & Support

If you or someone you know has been a victim of rape or sexual assault, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

You can also report information and crimes on our website (www.gmp.police.uk) using the 'report' tool. Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

There are also lots of organisations and support agencies available across Greater Manchester that can help and provide support for you.

For more information on rape and serious sexual assault and the support services available to you, please visit our support pages.

St. Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre - Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis - is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

We Are Survivors - provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.