Bulford soldier molested girl, 15, during London sleepover

Father-of-four Lawrence Sabatini, 38, from Bulford, ventured down to the living-room, where the teen was sleeping with another young girl and groped between her legs and on her bottom.

Sabatini, who had won recognition as a result of his multiple tattoos commemorating the service of Commonwealth servicemen and women, was convicted at Kingston upon Thames Crown Court of sexual assault.

He had pleaded not guilty claiming his alcohol intake resulted in loss of control of his actions in the incident on August 8, 2021, when he and his wife were guests at a party in Hounslow.

However, he was convicted and received a twelve-month community order, which includes 200 hours community service work and thirty days of a rehabilitation activity requirement. He must also sign the sex offenders register and pay £4,000 costs.

Lawrence Sabatini outside Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court. (Image: UK Law News)

The girl he had assaulted told the court she had been on a blow up bed at the time of the assault and that Sabatini had laid down by her bed.

“I thought he was drunk and so I moved, but he moved and started touching my bum and tried to go through my legs,” she told the court.

“He grabbed my bum and tried to pull me closer and was scooping me by my bum.”

The girls left the living-room due to Sabatini’s behaviour and when the second teen persuaded the victim to return he verbally abused both of them.

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“Wisely the two girls left the room distressed and sought comfort elsewhere,” said Judge Tregilgas-Davey. “In the morning you said you had no recollection of the incident.”

He told Sabatini: “You drank heavily at that party and knew at the time you were sleep-deprived after a Wiltshire military exercise, but consumed beer and vodka."

Prosecutor Michael Hillman told the court: “There is no victim impact statement, but she was in tears when I spoke to her this morning.

“She has been effected by this offending and is much less social and not going out as much.”

Lawrence Sabatini was stationed at Bulford Camp when he molested the girl. (Image: Google Maps)

Sabatini’s lawyer Ailsa Williamson told the court: “The defendant has not drunk alcohol since this incident three years ago and has been seeking treatment for his PTSD.

“He has been recently medically discharged and received a lump sum and now he and his family will be moving out of military accommodation.”

Judge Tregilgas-Davey said as he sentenced Sabatini: “I accept this incident has had a not insignificant impact on her and it is deeply upsetting as a young woman should be enjoying life and going out socialising.

“It struck me during the trial that she was very brave coming forward with the complaint. She showed a great deal of fortitude.”