VINCENT WALKER

BURNLEY MAN JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CHILDREN

A 'depraved' Burnley paedophile has been jailed after grooming young girls into coming to his house with e-cigarettes and sweets.

Vincent Walker, 72, of Rawson Street, appeared before Preston Crown Court charged with seven counts of assault of a child under 13, three charges of causing a child to watch an image of sexual activity, one count of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child under 13, and five counts of breaching a SHPO.

He also faced six counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

The incidents occurred over a year after his wicked perversion was uncovered by the mother of one of the victims, who found an e-cigarette in the child’s blazer pocket.

The mother discovered a group chat involving her daughter, another child, and Walker, who previously went by the name Stephen Horrocks.

Walker had sexually assaulted the girls on three occasions at his property and exposed himself via video calls, telling the girls that they would get into trouble if they told their parents.

The court heard how Walker invited other children, some as young as eight, to his home, where he would give them money for sweets, offer to make pancakes, and sexually assault them while displaying pornographic videos.

The judge noted Walker had been subject to a sexual harm prevention order since 2018, highlighting his dangerousness.

Walker was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison with a two-and-a-half-year extended license, and he is required to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Constable Amber Forshaw praised the courage of the victims and emphasized the importance of reporting similar abuse.