KEVIN WALTON JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AND LEEDS

A man named Kevin Walton, aged 50, from Holme Close in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has been sentenced to a prison term exceeding three years for a series of serious sexual offences involving minors. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court on Monday, 28 April, where Walton received a sentence of three years and nine months after being found guilty of multiple charges related to the exploitation of young girls.

Walton's criminal activities spanned several months, beginning in late summer 2024. During this period, he used social media platforms to contact a teenage girl, posing as a 19-year-old in order to establish a relationship. His manipulative tactics led to him luring the girl into meeting him in person in October, where he committed sexual contact offences. These acts included causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity, a crime for which he was convicted.

In addition to his direct contact with the victim, Walton extended his predatory behavior to her friends. He made contact with three of the girl’s acquaintances and engaged in further offending by sending them sexual imagery, thereby exposing them to harmful material and furthering his abusive conduct.

The police investigation into Walton’s activities was initiated after reports of his offending surfaced in late 2024. The reports prompted a thorough inquiry conducted by dedicated child safeguarding detectives based in Kirklees. Through their diligent efforts, Walton was identified as the suspect and was subsequently arrested in December 2024. Following his arrest, he was formally charged with multiple offences, including grooming a child under 16, engaging in sexual communication with minors, and causing children under 13 to view sexual imagery.

Detective Inspector Paul Greatorex of the Kirklees District Child Safeguarding Unit expressed gratitude to the victims for their bravery in coming forward. He emphasized the importance of their courage in ensuring Walton’s accountability, noting that he is considered a dangerous individual who exploited social media to conceal his true intentions. Inspector Greatorex also highlighted that Walton will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon his release from prison. This order will prohibit him from attempting to contact children again, adding a further layer of legal restriction to prevent future harm.

He further urged victims of sexual offences to report their experiences, assuring that all reports are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, with the victims’ needs at the forefront of law enforcement efforts. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in protecting minors from online predators and the importance of vigilance and reporting in safeguarding vulnerable children.