A 17-year-old boy from Littlehampton has been sentenced for recording and sharing a video of a man who had just died, in what police described as “inexcusable” behaviour that compounded a grieving family’s pain.
The case relates to the death of 51-year-old Paul Lawrence, who was tragically killed in Gladonian Road in the early hours of 28 January 2024.
The teenager admitted filming Paul lying deceased on the floor and circulating the footage to others via social media. Voices could be heard laughing and joking in the background during what proved to be the man’s final moments.
He pleaded guilty to sending a message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character, under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, and possession of cannabis.
At Worthing Youth Court on Thursday, 14 August, he was handed a 12-month Youth Referral Order, which aims to address offending behaviour and reduce the likelihood of reoffending through a series of supervised conditions.
Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell said:
“This sort of behaviour is inexcusable and has compounded the grief felt by Paul’s family at this most distressing of times.”
A second 17-year-old boy, from Bognor Regis, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with Paul’s death. He is due to appear in court for a pre-trial preparation hearing on 6 October.
Neither of the teenagers can be named due to their age.
