Joseph Lawler, jailed after attacks on women in East Ham
East Ham man jailed after ‘sexually-motivated’ attacks
Luke Jacobs
Sunday, July 15, 2012
5:24 PM
A would-be sex attacker from East Ham who targeted lone elderly women has been locked up for seven years.
Joseph Lawler, 41, broke into two flats late at night last December occupied by pensioners in their 80s and 90s.
One of the victims was so frightened she is now living with her daughter.
Lawler, of Denbigh Road, was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court after he was convicted of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence following a trial in June.
He had previously admitted two counts of burglary and common assault.
The court heard Lawler, armed with a hammer, kicked open the door of one flat in East Ham at about 3am on December 17.
He entered the victim’s bedroom and grabbed her shoulder to wake her up. She grabbed her commode and tried to throw it at Lawler but he pushed her back.
The assailant then escaped and the victim contacted police.
Six days later, at 9pm on December 23, Lawler broke the window at another East Ham flat. He crept up on the victim from from behind as she looked out the window to see what the noise was.
He startled her and then demanded money.
The victim hit out at Lawler, who pushed her back onto the sofa and threatened to rape her. He then climbed on top of her.
She screamed for help, alerting members of the public who were passing her house. They knocked on the window, causing the attacker to flee the scene.
They knocked on the window which scared Lawler and he fled.
The court heard police enquiries led to the identification of Lawler as a suspect. He matched the description given by the victims.
A sock, and a pair of boxer shorts were found inside in and around his victim’s homes.
A search of his own premises uncovered a large hidden collection of pornographic DVDs featuring women aged between 55 and 75. He was subsequently charged.
Speaking after the sentencing on July 2, Det Insp Andy Furphy, from Newham police, said: “Lawler was sexually motivated in his attacks with a fascination towards elderly women and I have no doubt he would have struck again.
“These attacks had a devastating impact on the lives of the victims.”
Most Read News
Planning inquiry to examine council’s rejection of West Ham mosque
Newham Council’s rejection of a planning application for the UK’s biggest mosque is set to be the subject of a public inquiry this year.
Local advertisers
Other Crime & Court articles
- CCTV: Search for suspected shoplifters after assault in Stratford supermarket
- Man jailed for possessing petrol bombs near Plaistow police station
- Tributes paid to much loved East Ham pensioner
- CCTV appeal over five Canning Town sexual assaults
- East Ham named ID fraud capital of UK
- Stratford 19-year-old jailed for “horrific” screwdriver attack
- Robbers jailed for punching man to floor for mobile phone in Plaistow
- Judge overturns Newham Council betting shop decision
- East Ham MP pays tribute to murdered pensioner
- CCTV: Police appeal after woman sexually assaulted on Stratford-bound train
- East Ham pensioner found dead in home died of head and neck injuries
- Man arrested on suspicion of East Ham murder is sectioned
- Man jailed for 24 years for Canning Town murder
- East Ham death sparks murder inquiry
- Stolen jewellery worth £10,000 seized from Plaistow shop
- Sports agent cleared of Canning Town murder
- Newham police borough commander Rob Jones: “I’m always proud to be a Hammer!”
- Stratford pensioner feared death during rape ordeal, court hears
- Newham Council v Paddy Power: MP tells court betting shop clusters ruin high streets
- Teenager stabbed in Plaistow fight
- Six staff arrested for allegedly spying on naked women at East Ham Leisure Centre
- Man on trial for second time accused of raping Stratford pensioner
- Man accused of Westfield Stratford murder tells court: ‘I’m no maniac’
- Beckton stable fire ‘suspected arson’, say police
- Shoppers told to be wary of dangerous henna on Green Street, Upton Park
-
Use our Wedding site to help you plan your big day! - At WeddingSite we know how much you have to organise for your wedding day, that's why we have designed a set of FREE, simple-to-use tools to make the planning process easy & hassle-free. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a date using our online dating and friend finder - You can meet new friends, find romance or simply meet up online with people sharing similar interests and hobbies. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a local business using our online directory search - Need a plumber? Or a florist? Or anything else? Search our business directory to find Newham businesses in just a few seconds. FIND OUT MORE
-
Family notices from the Newham Recorder, with readers' tributes - In memoriam, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, best wishes & special days. FIND OUT MORE
Celebrity / Showbiz See all
Brick Lane Comedy Festival cancelled after opposition from community groups
A comedy festival in east London due to feature acts including Al Murray, Alan Davies and Ed Byrne has been cancelled because of “heavy opposition from local community groups”.
- Music review: Josh Groban’s All That Echoes tour at The O2
- Have a whale of a time at Moby Dick! The Musical
- Graeae’s tale of limbless knight to ask theatre-goers at Greenwich festival what it means to be alive
- Film review: Man of Steel
- Picture gallery: Man of Steel premiere