LUKE WELDON FROM BURY CAUGHT IN SHOCKING SEXUAL PREDATION IN BOLTON AND WALKDEN
In a series of disturbing incidents spanning Bolton and Walkden, Luke Weldon, a 26-year-old man from Bury, has been convicted and sentenced for a pattern of predatory sexual behavior targeting young girls.His actions, which included following, assaulting, and exposing himself to minors, have caused significant concern among local communities and law enforcement authorities alike.
Weldon’s criminal activities came to light after a particularly alarming attack on a 14-year-old girl in Bolton town centre.
On the evening of June 9, at approximately 9 pm, the young victim was walking home from a skatepark when she noticed a white van passing her by.
The driver, later identified as Weldon, smiled at her as he drove past and then parked his vehicle further up the road.
The girl, sensing something was amiss, proceeded along a wooded path, only to be confronted by Weldon as he exited his van and approached her at a slow pace.
According to court reports, the girl attempted to continue her walk but was suddenly struck from behind with what she believed to be a rock.
She turned to see Weldon, and in a panic, she screamed and elbowed him in an effort to defend herself.
Weldon, wielding what appeared to be a rock, knocked her to the ground.
Despite her efforts to fight him off, she was subjected to a terrifying ordeal where Weldon knelt between her legs, prompting her to punch him multiple times in an attempt to deter him.
Her screams attracted attention, and witnesses who saw the incident managed to record the vehicle’s registration number before Weldon fled the scene at high speed.
The young girl described experiencing a panic attack during the attack and expressed ongoing fears about her safety.
She remains paranoid when out in public and finds it difficult to concentrate at school due to the trauma.
Police quickly identified Weldon’s white van as being linked to a series of flashing incidents across Bolton.
The following day, officers located him sitting in his vehicle, where he was arrested.
Weldon initially denied that the attack was sexually motivated, but evidence soon emerged that painted a different picture.
Prior to this assault, Weldon had exposed himself to a girl while sitting in his van and had targeted three other young girls aged 8, 10, and 11 who were playing in a front garden.
The father of one of these girls intervened, chased Weldon, obtained his vehicle registration, and prevented him from approaching another child.
Weldon’s criminal history further underscores his predatory tendencies.
In 2017, he was sentenced to three years and four months after stalking two young girls and sexually assaulting one of them.
During that incident, he followed the girls through the streets of Walkden in his silver car, eventually blocking their exit from an alleyway.
Weldon then sexually assaulted one girl, grabbing her and holding her against her will for several seconds before she managed to scream and escape.
The court heard that although she sustained minor physical injuries, the psychological impact was profound and long-lasting.
His latest sentencing at Bolton Crown Court reflects the severity of his crimes.
Weldon pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sexual assault, engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, and breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The court sentenced him to a total of twelve years in prison—five years and six months for the breaches and flashing incidents, and an additional six years and nine months for the sexual assault, to be served consecutively.
Judge Martin Walsh emphasized the gravity of Weldon’s actions, describing the attack on the 14-year-old girl as particularly serious.
He highlighted that Weldon’s behavior was premeditated, involving planning and forethought, and posed a significant ongoing risk to the public, especially young girls.
The judge noted that Weldon’s history of offending and his continued predatory conduct demonstrated a disturbing pattern of behavior that warranted a lengthy custodial sentence.
Weldon’s criminal record also includes a 2017 conviction for stalking and sexual assault, and his pattern of targeting vulnerable young girls has caused widespread alarm in the communities of Bury, Bolton, and Walkden.
His actions have left lasting scars on his victims, and the court’s decision aims to protect others from further harm.
The community and law enforcement agencies continue to remain vigilant, hoping that Weldon’s incarceration will prevent any future offenses of this nature.
