Child sex abuser 'smiled and laughed throughout trial'

A 76-year-old man who sexually abused children "showed no remorse" and smiled and laughed throughout his trial, his victims say.

Peter Lazarides, from Lawrence Weston, Bristol, has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences.

The trial at Bristol Crown Court heard he sexually assaulted children, made them watch porn and encouraged them to commit sexual acts on him between 2017 and 2020.

"I've lost all trust in humans and that will follow me for the rest of my life," said one of his victims, who explained Lazarides also "shouted verbal abuse" at them as he was sentenced.

The victim said: "The last few years of my life have been on hold, justice has been served but my life will never be the same.

"The defendant showed no remorse and smiled throughout the whole trial, even shouting verbal abuse at me as he was being sentenced."

Lazarides was found guilty and sentenced on 22 May for 16 charges against four children.

The offences included causing a child to watch a sexual act, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexually assaulting a child and exposure.

Another victim said they were "so proud" of themselves and other victims for speaking up in court.

"This has affected my home and work life massively and I will never forgive Peter for making it tough to keep relationships alive with people I care about so much," they said.

"He showed no remorse in court by smirking and laughing at us as well as making remarks at us at the sentencing.

"That will live with me forever, seeing him not seeming to care at all. I wish he could just admit all the disgusting things he did, but I know he never will."

A third victim explained they felt uncomfortable if someone touched them in a certain way following the abuse.

"It makes me overthink, it makes me not trust anyone, it makes me more aggressive to new people."

The fourth victim added: "I feel scared and nervous when I'm around people, mainly men, who I don't know, especially when I'm not with anyone I don't fully trust.

"I overthink everything when it comes to going out when it's dark."

Officers in the case, Det Con Lucy Jeffery and Det Con Laura Britton, praised the "strength of character" of the young victims.

"The crimes [Lazarides] committed against these children are disgusting and he has shown absolutely no remorse or regret for his actions.

"He has had a lasting and negative impact on their lives and, as some of our victims' describe, he has cast a shadow over their childhood," they added.

"I am glad we were able to seek justice for the victims and we hope this result will allow them to move forward."

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