Lorry death girl was assaulted

Nine-year-old Stacey Lawrence was sexually assaulted before being strangled by her mother's boyfriend who then hanged himself, forensic tests have revealed.

The body of Stacey, from West Bromwich, was found in the cab of Darren Walker's lorry in a lay-by at Warmington, Northamptonshire, last month.

The 40-year-old was hanging from a tree in nearby woodland. It is thought he strangled Stacey then killed himself on 29 August.

A Northamptonshire Police statement said: "The results of forensic tests have now been received by Northamptonshire Police and they do confirm that Stacey was subjected to a sexual assault.

"We would stress however that there is no evidence to suggest that Stacey was raped - this was made clear following the outcome of the forensic post mortem that took place.

"We will now be submitting a report to the coroner, who has opened the inquest into the two deaths."

Mum Roxanne Lawrence said earlier this month that she had been planning to marry 40-year-old Walker, the man Stacey called Dad.

Voluntary worker Mrs Lawrence, 38, of Bagnall Street, West Bromwich, told the Express & Star at the time: "He has just shocked everyone, we never dreamed he would do anything like that.

"I'm trying to be angry with him but I'm finding it really difficult because I loved him.

"Stacey was a really happy little girl and was very popular with lots of friends. I just can't believe she is gone. It shocked all of us because he was such a lovely family guy."