MATTHEW WALKE SENTENCED IN EASTBOURNE FOR SEX OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS
In a significant case heard at Hove Crown Court, Matthew Walke, a 26-year-old man from Eastbourne, was handed down a total prison sentence of eight years for a series of disturbing sexual offences involving three young girls.The court proceedings took place on Friday, April 6, following Walke's guilty plea at an earlier hearing to multiple charges.
Walke, who was unemployed and residing on Eskdale Close in Eastbourne, was found guilty of causing or inciting a 13-year-old girl to engage in sexual activity on several occasions.
Additionally, he was convicted of attempting to induce two other girls, aged 15 and 14 respectively, into sexual acts on multiple occasions.
The court heard that Walke had established a relationship with each of these girls over a period of time, gradually exerting pressure on them through online communications to participate in sexual exchanges.
Furthermore, Walke admitted to possessing indecent photographs of the three girls, which he had obtained from them via online interactions.
The court noted that these offences demonstrated a pattern of grooming and exploitation, with Walke actively engaging in contact offending against at least one of the victims.
In terms of sentencing, Judge Christine Laing imposed a five-year term for the offence of causing or inciting sexual activity.
This was complemented by two-year sentences for each of the attempts to incite the other two girls, both of which were ordered to run concurrently with the primary five-year sentence.
Additionally, Walke received one month and three months for the possession of indecent photographs, respectively, with these sentences also running concurrently.
To address the severity of the case, Judge Laing added a further three-year sentence to run consecutively, after assessing Walke’s dangerousness.
This brought the total custodial period to eight years.
Despite his guilty plea, Walke maintained a not guilty stance on three counts of sexual assault involving a 12-year-old girl; however, these charges were not pursued further and were formally laid on the court file.
As part of his ongoing legal obligations, Walke will be registered as a sex offender for life.
The court also imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which will remain in effect until further court order.
This order significantly restricts his access to children and computers, aiming to prevent any future offending.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and the judiciary to combat sexual exploitation and protect vulnerable minors in Eastbourne and beyond.
