Updates for Wednesday 2 March 2016
News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 Thursday
Detective Chief Inspector Allison Rigby, from Derbyshire Police, said the trial had been devastating for the victims.
She said: "He seems to have targeted females who are divorced and widowed.
"Only Jason Lawrance will know how many people he has sexually assaulted - it is possible that there are other people out there.
"I just hope once this case is finished, they can move forward and start to rebuild their lives."
A spokesperson for Match.com said: “We are very sorry for those affected and appalled by these terrible acts.
“We commend these individuals for their courage in coming forward which resulted in a conviction.
“We also encourage anyone who has been affected by this case or others to come forward to the police.
Image source, Match.com“At Match, our members’ safety is our highest priority. If anyone has felt exposed to unsafe behaviour whether through our services or anywhere else, please do tell someone."
Jason Lawrance, 50, of Liphook, Hampshire, used two profiles on the Match.com website to meet his victims, seven altogether from five English counties including Derbyshire.
He's due to be sentenced on Thursday.
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceA Match.com spokesman said it has the "most heartfelt concern" for the victims and that "the safety of our members is our highest priority".
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
Here's a summary of the main stories we're covering this lunchtime.
Sue Matthews, senior crown prosecutor at the CPS East Midlands rape and serious sexual offences team said Jason Lawrance was "a dangerous sexual predator" who "has gone from victim to victim, targeting them through online dating sites".
She said: “Nobody should feel that meeting people through a dating site means that they are consenting to any sexual activity.
"If a person does not consent to sexual activity and the perpetrator does not reasonably believe they are consenting, that is an offence, regardless of how the victim meets the perpetrator, or how well they know each other.
“The victims in this case have shown real courage in telling the court about their ordeal. It is their evidence that has made Lawrance face the consequences of his actions.”
Jason Lawrance was described by police as a 'sexual predator', and Derby Crown Court heard he used his profiles keepitstraighttoday and straightmanlooking on Match.com but was keen to talk to women offline.
He committed three sex attacks months after getting married to someone he met via the site.
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceDuring his defence, Lawrance claimed he had consensual sex with all of the victims.
Another victim, Jason Lawrance's sixth, recalled at Derby Crown Court how he repeated 'this is what you want' as he tore her clothes off and straddled her.
Smith said: "One thing she remembers most about that ordeal, apart from the fear she felt, was the sweat coming from him and dripping into her eyes where the salt made her eyes sore."
Prosecutor Shaun Smith told Derby Crown Court that one woman who was attacked by former company director Jason Lawrance at her Derbyshire home cried hysterically before he put a finger on her lips, said 'don't shout' and then raped her.
Mr Smith said: "She decided quietness and submission was the best course of action."
The court also heard the final victim of Lawrance "struggled to breathe" as he raped her in her home, also in Derbyshire, during her lunch hour in November 2014.
Mr Smith said: "Exhausted and scared, she decided to stop fighting and told him in tears to get on with it."
Derby Crown Court heard that four of the victims complained about 50-year-old Jason Lawrance to online dating site Match.com and one of the women was told administrators couldn't do anything because he hadn't sent abusive messages through the site.
He was arrested after a friend of a woman who was raped in Derbyshire in November 2014 went to the police.
Jason Lawrance, 50, of Liphook, Hampshire, used two profiles on the internet dating website to meet the seven women from five English counties.
Derby Crown Court heard the attacks took place between June 2011 and November 2014.
A man is found guilty of raping five women and attacking two more after meeting them on internet dating site Match.com.
Read More
Navtej Johal
East Midlands Today reporter
A man has been found guilty of raping five women and attacking two more after meeting them on internet dating site Match.com.
Derby Crown Court heard that 50-year-old Jason Lawrance, who denied the charges, used two dating website profiles to meet people.
The sister of a pregnant woman who used to live in Derby has pleaded for her to return home, external.
Image source, Derby Telegraph
Facebook
The debate about black cats is raging on the BBC Derby Facebook page, external, as well, with Jenna Hudson saying: "I always believed that black cats were lucky. Such beautiful cats, and such a shame they can't find a forever home."
Jean McKnight agrees, posting: "A black cat crossing your path has always been believed to be lucky. Hence the saying 'lucky black cat'."
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
There's a debate taking place on BBC Radio Derby today about whether black cats are lucky or unlucky., external
Perhaps I should explain the background ... the Dove Cat Sanctuary Rescue in Doveholes near Buxton has about 40 cats, a third of which have been there more than six months and in some cases up to a year.
Image source, Box containing kittensVolunteers say some customers avoid the black cats because of people's superstitions.
The weather warnings came thick and fast, and for a long time it appeared that the forecast might be something of a damp squib.
But no, the white stuff has finally arrived in Derbyshire, as predicted, and we have the photographic evidence to prove it.
Image source, Villager JimOur weather watcher Villager Jim took this photo of Eyam in the snow.
If you want to get in touch you're welcome to email or tweet, external us your comments, questions and photos throughout the day, or get in touch on our Facebook, external page.
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
Here's a recap of the main stories we're covering today:
Chris Doidge
BBC Radio Derby political reporter
I've seen documents suggesting a plan to build 10km of new cycle paths in Derby has been put on hold by the city council.
They came to light the same week the city launched its ambitious cycle plan. I've been waiting six weeks for confirmation of the cuts (to the cycling strategy) from the local authority.
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
More now on our story about Derby's cycle hub, the Park Bikeworks, going into administration, external.
BBC Radio Derby reporter Martyn Williams says a sign up at the premises confirms that the firm is "working with the administrators to retain the offer of free bike parking for the residents of Derby", and that it's happy to be working with a potential new tenant from May - the triathlon company Huub.
Nigel Cash
BBC Radio Derby Sport
A busy morning and a happy one if you're a supporter of Burton Albion, who are four points clear at the top of League One after last night's win at Sheffield United.
More importantly, there's an eight-point gap between the Brewers and the play-off places.
Image source, Getty ImagesLucas Akins scored the only goal of the game at Bramall Lane, and manager Nigel Clough said it was a complete performance, as everything worked for the team and everyone did their jobs.
Euan Duncan
BBC Local Live
A family statement reads: "The families of Julie and Rose Hill are devastated by the events of the last few days.
"We have lost two loving mothers, who were in turn a sister, an aunt, a grandmother and dear friends to us all. They will forever be in our hearts."
