Published: October 4, 2012
Burnham-On-Sea man faces jail term after sex offences conviction

A Burnham-On-Sea man faces a jail term after being convicted of serious sex offences against a teenage girl on Thursday (October 4th).

Former Police Community Support Officer Lawrence Dunn, 48, from Axbridge Close in Burnham was found guilty at Taunton Crown Court of several offences of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Eric Salomonsen said it was a harrowing case and the evidence against him was compelling, adding that it was a gross abuse of trust and of his position as a community support officer.

Dunn was remanded in custody for reports and sentencing and was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register.

Avon and Somerset Police released a statement, saying: "Lawrence Dunn was today found guilty of eight offences committed against a young person while in post as a Police Community Support Officer."

"The court heard compelling evidence at the trial which highlighted the gross abuse of his position of trust."

"Dunn had every opportunity to plead guilty following this investigation but instead put his victim through the trauma of a trial. The jury found him guilty of eight of the nine offences he was charged with."

Dunn, who was a PCSO based in Bridgwater, resigned from his post when investigations into his conduct began.