CRAIG WALKER OF BEESTON SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR REPEATED RAPE OF MINOR

In February 2013, Craig Walker from Beeston was sentenced to 16 years in prison for multiple counts of raping a young girl who described herself as his "sex slave." The judge stated that the harm caused to the victim was "simply incalculable." Walker admitted to raping the girl on eight separate occasions, engaging in sexual activity with her, and was also convicted of a separate common assault on a woman.

The victim, who was just eight years old at the onset of the abuse, told police she felt like a prostitute and believed she was there to give Walker pleasure. She was forced to perform sexual acts and was repeatedly raped by him. Prosecutor Dawn Pritchard told Nottingham Crown Court that Walker would often offer the girl money. The offences came to light when the girl participated in a school questionnaire, indicating she had been sexually abused. During police interviews, she expressed feelings of being a prostitute and being forced into sex, but she also said she felt relieved to have spoken out.

Walker, aged 29 and of Ribblesdale Court, Beeston, was initially on bail for these offences when he committed a separate assault, grabbing a woman and screaming in her face. Julia King, in mitigation, acknowledged that Walker would welcome help and accepted that he had committed heinous crimes. Although he initially denied the sexual allegations in a defense statement, he later pleaded guilty at a hearing last month, leading to the sentencing scheduled for the previous day.

King noted that Walker, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty late in the process. Judge Michael Stokes QC described Walker’s remorse, stating, “He says he is disgusted with himself.” The judge imposed a 16-year prison term and an extended five-year license period to monitor Walker upon release. The judge also stated, “The damage you have done to that child is simply incalculable, and you say to your counsel you will receive help. No human being – worthy of the description – needs help not to repeatedly rape an eight-year-old girl.”

Walker is expected to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being considered for release. Upon re-entering society, he will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, disqualified from working with children, and required to register as a sex offender for life.