Swansea Grandfather Gets 25 Years In Prison After Raping Girls

SWANSEA, MA — A Swansea man who raped two of his grandchildren was sentenced to 25-30 years in prison this week. Lawrence Lamphier, 73, was convicted of four counts of rape Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court. Judge Susan Sullivan handed down the sentence. Prosecutors had asked for a 40- to 50-year sentence while Lamphier's lawyers asked for 10 years.

One victim was 4 years old and the other was 7 when Lamphier started victimizing them, according to Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn.

“This is a tragic case because 2 young girls were sexually abused by their own grandfather, someone they trusted and loved," Quinn said in a statement. "Despite the defendant’s age, the sentence imposed by the court is well deserved. I commend the two young victims for their fortitude in testifying against a family member and I hope this conviction helps them move forward with their lives."

The assaults happened from 2012 to 2014, prosecutors said. The girls told their mother, who contacted Swansea police in June 2014. Lamphier was arrested about a week later.

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