Thomas Lawton

On Saturday, 2 August 2024, an alarming incident unfolded in the town centre of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England, involving a partially naked man who assaulted and threatened members of the public. Wiltshire Police received a report around 1pm of a man naked from the waist down in Dark Lane, carrying what was initially believed to be a knife. The suspect was reported to have travelled on foot through Bristol Street and Bremilham Road, where he assaulted and threatened individuals with the weapon.

Following a swift investigation, Wiltshire Police arrested a 49-year-old local man. On Tuesday, 5 August 2024, the suspect was formally charged and named as Thomas Lawton, of High Street, Malmesbury. Lawton faced multiple charges, including sexual assault, common assault, attempted robbery, two counts of threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a public place, and two counts of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the supposed knife was actually a part of a broken pot or similar object, rather than a bladed weapon.

Lawton was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on the morning of 5 August 2024. A spokesperson for Malmesbury police expressed gratitude to the public for their support during the investigation, stating: “We would like to thank the public for their support while this investigation was carried out.” Initially, the police had appealed for witnesses and possible victims after the arrest, highlighting the seriousness of the event in the quiet Wiltshire town.

The incident drew significant local attention due to its bizarre and threatening nature, with reports of the man’s partial nudity and aggressive behaviour causing concern among residents. Wiltshire Police confirmed that no further details on the victims or the exact sequence of events would be released at this stage to protect those involved. This case underscores the rapid response of local authorities in addressing public safety threats in community settings.