DAVE WALKER FROM HELSTON, REDRUTH, AND TRURO ESCAPES PRISON AFTER GROOMING GIRL, 13, IN LOCAL PARKS

In a case that has raised serious concerns about the safety of young girls in Cornwall, David Walker, aged 56, originally from Helston and with known connections to Redruth and Truro, narrowly avoided immediate imprisonment after admitting to breaches of a Sexual Offences Prohibition Order. The incidents, which involved inappropriate conversations with a 13-year-old girl in a public park, prompted a stern warning from the court about his predatory tendencies.

Walker, who resides at Glenhaven Caravan Park on Codgey Lane, appeared before Truro Crown Court on a Monday to face charges related to two breaches of the court order. The judge, Miranda Robertshaw, expressed her concern about Walker’s behavior, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the potential risk he posed to young females.

During the hearing, Judge Robertshaw detailed the first breach that occurred in July, where Walker engaged in conversation with a girl he did not know. He made comments about her hair, inquired about meeting her again, and asked about her route while walking her dog. These actions were deemed part of a grooming process, which had a significant emotional impact on the girl, leaving her very distressed. The court noted that this was Walker’s first breach, which was limited to verbal communication, but he had subsequently obtained her name and engaged her in further conversation.

The court was informed that Walker had already served the equivalent of an eight-month sentence on remand. A report on his behavior highlighted the necessity for close supervision due to his “predatory nature.” As a result, Judge Robertshaw sentenced him to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, coupled with a two-year supervision order. The judge made it clear that any further breach, no matter how minor, would likely activate the suspended sentence and could lead to additional penalties.

In her remarks, Judge Robertshaw issued a stark warning: “If there is any further breach, however minor, the likelihood is that the suspended sentence will be activated in addition to any other sentence. You have been given a very clear warning. If you behave in that way towards young girls, you will be dealt with severely.”

Prosecutor David Evans provided a detailed account of Walker’s criminal history, revealing that his offending began at the age of 18. In 1980, he was sentenced to five years in prison for burglary with intent to rape. During that incident, Walker entered a woman’s bedroom through a window at night, removed his clothing, climbed into her bed, and held a knife against her head, demanding silence. The woman screamed, causing Walker to flee the scene.

Further offenses included a robbery and indecent assault on a woman in Truro in 1999, and another indecent assault on a 20-year-old woman in Redruth in October 2003. In May 2004, Walker made inappropriate comments to a young girl at a children’s play park in Truro while under the influence of alcohol and in possession of a lock knife and pruning saw.

Following these incidents, a Sexual Offences Prohibition Order was issued in December 2004, restricting Walker from engaging in face-to-face conversations with females of any age whom he did not know. Despite this, Walker’s criminal record continued to grow. In March 2006, he was convicted of engaging in sexual activity with a child who knew him after she approached him on a bus in Helston. She asked for a loan, and he invited her to sit next to him, placing his hand on her knee and asking if she wanted to go out with him. The girl ran away from the scene.

In the subsequent incidents in July, Walker approached a 13-year-old girl sitting on a bench, initiating a conversation by asking about her dog. The girl felt very uncomfortable, and as she walked away, Walker kept calling her back. Six days later, he saw her again, had learned her name, and told her he liked her, introduced himself as Dave, and asked if she would like to meet him again. He was staring at her intently. The girl later saw Walker with her mother, which led to police involvement. Initially, Walker denied the allegations but later admitted that he had lied.

Defense lawyer Michael Melville-Shreeve highlighted that the breaches of the Sexual Offences Prohibition Order had been minor, lasting over three and a half years, and did not involve any physical contact. He emphasized that Walker’s actions were limited to verbal interactions and did not involve touching or more serious offenses. The court was urged to consider these factors when determining the appropriate sentence, though the overall concern about Walker’s predatory behavior remained paramount.