‘DANGEROUS’ SITTINGBOURNE PAEDOPHILE LOCKED UP FOR ABUSING CHILDREN
A “dangerous paedophile” who sexually abused two young girls and showed a four-year-old porn has been jailed.Melvin Walker’s victims faced a six-year wait for the predator to be sentenced for several sexual offences.
The 64-year-old was charged with six counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
He was convicted by a jury of all seven offences.
During a sentencing hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, it was heard how the offences happened nearly two decades ago and had a “very significant” psychological impact on the victims' lives.
One victim expressed gratitude that her abuse was finally acknowledged, sharing how she still feels broken and suffers from paranoia, with her confidence as a parent affected.
Judge Oliver Saxby KC stated: “The damage you caused her is immeasurable...
You did not just abuse a child, and a vulnerable one at that, you damaged an entire future.
The damage you caused her is immeasurable.
That she has managed to progress her life as she has is a mark of her strength of mind and determination.
She is a remarkable person, no doubt.” It was detailed how Walker preyed on young victims and touched their private parts.
On one occasion, one victim woke up to find his hand down her underwear.
Another time, he gave her money, placing it in her bra and grabbing her breast.
Years later, a second victim reported Walker showing her pornographic images on his phone.
Similar images were found on his devices after his arrest.
A search of his phone revealed dozens of indecent images: three Category A, five Category B, and 69 Category C images.
Walker pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in 2021 and was sentenced along with the more severe offences.
He previously had nine convictions for making indecent images.
Judge Saxby KC sentenced him to 16 years in prison, including 12 years custody and a four-year extended sentence.
He also received a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and a lifetime restraining order for the victims.
