CRAIG WALTERS SENTENCED FOR VIOLENT ATTACK IN CARDIFF: POLICE USE FACIAL RECOGNITION TO BRING HIM TO JUSTICE
On the evening of Sunday, November 10, 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded in Cardiff that left a young woman in a state of terror and prompted a swift response from local law enforcement.The victim, who was traveling on a bus through the Pontprennau area, disembarked at her usual stop and began walking along Pentwyn Road, unaware that she was being followed by a man with malicious intent.
According to reports from South Wales Police, the man, later identified as Craig Walters, 39, who also goes by the aliases Craig Watts and Craig Whites, approached the woman from behind as she was walking near a grass verge.
Without warning, Walters grabbed her from behind, initiating a frightening assault.
The young woman, demonstrating remarkable courage, fought back and screamed for help in an effort to deter her attacker.
Her cries for assistance were heard by a member of the public, who intervened, causing Walters to flee the scene in a hurried escape.
Law enforcement officials quickly responded to the incident, collecting extensive CCTV footage from the area, including footage from the bus on which the victim had been traveling.
This footage proved crucial in the investigation.
Using advanced retrospective facial recognition technology, police were able to analyze the images captured on the CCTV and identify the suspect as Craig Walters, a known individual to police authorities.
The technology enabled officers to expedite their investigation, leading to Walters' arrest within just 48 hours of the attack.
Following his arrest, Walters pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment with the intent to commit a sexual offence.
His cooperation in court resulted in a life sentence at Cardiff Crown Court, with a minimum term of six years to be served behind bars.
Additionally, Walters was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, reflecting the severity of his actions and the threat he poses to the community.
Detective Constable Dave Simmons, a member of Cardiff CID, expressed his thoughts on the case, stating, “At around 10.50pm on Sunday, November 10, 2019, a young woman was followed off a bus in Pontprennau.
As she walked alongside a grass verge in Pentwyn Road, she was grabbed from behind by a complete stranger.
She bravely tried to fight him off and screamed for help until thankfully a member of the public intervened and the suspect ran off.
It must have been absolutely terrifying.” Simmons further highlighted the importance of technology in solving the case, noting, “We gathered extensive CCTV from the area, including footage from the Cardiff Bus she had been traveling on, and this gave us an image of the suspect who had been on the same bus.
Using Retrospective Facial Recognition on this CCTV image, we identified the suspect as Craig Walters – someone who was known to police.
I am in no doubt that we would have got to him eventually, but the use of retrospective facial recognition technology meant we got to him quicker, and within 48 hours, he was in custody.” The detective also commended the bravery of the victim and the witness who intervened that night.
He emphasized that Walters is a “cold and dangerous individual” who has shown no remorse for his actions.
Simmons expressed hope that the successful resolution of this case would encourage other victims to come forward and seek justice.
He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to utilizing all available technology to bring offenders to justice and assured the public that support services are available for victims of such crimes.
