Burnley paedophile jailed for series of sexual offences against young girls
A Burnley man has been jailed after admitting a series of sexual offences against young girls over a period of more than a year.
Vincent Walker, 72, of Rawson Street, committed offences against five girls aged between eight and 13.
The case came to light when two of the victims disclosed the abuse to their parents, leading to Walker’s arrest.
After he was charged in March this year, further victims came forward.
Walker pleaded guilty to 23 offences, including non-penetrative sexual activity with a child aged 13 to 15, assault by touching, causing a child under 13 to watch sexual activity, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13 and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
He was sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison, with an additional two and a half years on extended licence, at Preston Crown Court on Friday.
Walker was also deemed a dangerous offender and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed.
Det Con Amber Forshaw, from Lancashire Police’s child protection team, said the victims had shown “remarkable courage” in coming forward.
“I hope that this sentence gives them and their families some sense that justice has been done and that they can now try and move on and rebuild their lives,” she said.
“Walker is clearly a dangerous sexual predator with a depraved sexual interest in young girls, and I am pleased that his conviction and sentence mean he will now be behind bars for a significant time and that people will be protected from him.
“If others have suffered similar abuse, I would urge them to come forward and talk to us, safe in the knowledge that we will investigate professionally and sensitively and will look to put offenders before the courts and to provide justice for victims.”
Reports can be made by calling Lancashire Police on 101 or online.
Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.