DALE WALSH FROM BLACKBURN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN PRESTON

In June 2008, a disturbing case involving Dale Walsh, a 39-year-old labourer from Blackburn, came to light when he was sentenced to serve five years and nine months in prison for a series of serious sexual offenses against a young girl. Walsh, who resided on James Street in the Mill Hill area of Blackburn, pleaded guilty to multiple charges that included five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a minor, three counts of inciting a child to participate in sexual acts, six counts of child abduction involving the same girl and a friend, and fifteen counts of possessing indecent images of children.r>

Following the sentencing at Preston Crown Court, the victim’s mother expressed her profound distress and the lasting impact of Walsh’s actions on her daughter. She described her daughter as being left 'traumatised' by the ordeal and revealed that her family was contemplating relocating from Blackburn to escape the emotional scars inflicted by Walsh’s manipulative conduct. The mother’s words underscored the devastating effect the abuse had on her family’s life, emphasizing the deep wounds that such crimes leave behind.r>

The court proceedings detailed how Walsh, operating from James Street, Mill Hill, used gifts such as flowers and jewelry to lure the young girl into a relationship. His manipulative tactics included pretending to be her uncle and calling her school to falsely claim she was too ill to attend, which raised suspicions among school staff and ultimately led to police involvement. The girl’s mother recounted how Walsh exploited her daughter’s innocence, taking advantage of her young age and brainwashing her with false affection. She stated, “He gave her roses and necklaces and told her he loved her — he must have known that what he was doing was wrong.”r>

She further explained the emotional toll on her daughter, who now suffers from nightmares and fears that Walsh will come to find her. The girl’s behaviour had become increasingly troubled, and her family was only beginning to rebuild their relationship after the trauma. She confided only in her counsellor about the abuse, highlighting the profound secrecy and shame surrounding the incident.r>

The court heard that Walsh maintained a three-month-long relationship with the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. The relationship ended in December of the previous year when Walsh’s misconduct was uncovered. The girl had initially told her mother that she had a boyfriend who was 14 years old and attended the same school, but her mother became suspicious when she refused to bring him over for a family visit, despite her daughter’s assurances that he would come after Christmas. Her mother questioned her about the boy, realizing that the story did not add up, especially considering Walsh’s age.r>

Prosecutor Sara Dodd described how Walsh would give the girl and her friend lifts to school, dropping them off nearby. On one occasion, the girl was at Walsh’s home when he initiated sexual activity with her while she was asleep on a settee. She was awakened by Walsh talking to her, though she could not recall what was said. The court was told that Walsh engaged in sexual acts with her on multiple occasions, including one incident where she was asleep and was woken up to find him talking to her before they had sex.r>

Police investigations uncovered approximately 86 indecent images of children stored on Walsh’s computer, further evidencing his predatory behaviour. Defense lawyer Mark Stuart acknowledged Walsh’s responsibility for his actions, stating, “It is wholly inappropriate for a man, when he comes to know her age, to have any sexual involvement with her. He did not realize initially that she was thirteen, but he accepts he knew her age by the time sexual offences occurred.” Stuart described Walsh’s infatuation as a “wholly inappropriate” response during a period of personal low, asserting that any sexual activity was consensual.r>

Judge Robert Brown, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of Walsh’s crimes, noting that his actions likely caused long-term psychological damage to the victim. The judge highlighted the girl’s recurring nightmares and emotional distress, which he considered indicative of the profound impact of Walsh’s misconduct. He stated, “As a result of your activities, you probably have caused her long-term damage, but certainly you have caused, in my view, the present symptoms including her recurring nightmares about you coming to get her. Taken together, these are very serious offences for which only a custodial sentence can be justified.”r>

Walsh was ordered to register as a sex offender and was banned from working with children indefinitely. Additionally, he was subject to a court order prohibiting any contact or association with children under the age of 16. Despite the severity of the sentence, the victim’s mother expressed her dissatisfaction, claiming that Walsh’s delay in pleading guilty and lack of remorse warranted a harsher punishment. She said, “He dragged the process out by not pleading guilty at first. The evidence was there. He hasn’t shown any remorse and yet he had his sentence reduced because he changed his plea.”r>

The investigation was carried out by officers from the Engage team, a specialized multi-agency unit dedicated to tracking down child sex offenders, protecting victims, and educating young people about the dangers of exploitation. DC Helen McDermott commented on the case, saying, “This has been a long and protracted investigation by the multi-agency Engage team and I am satisfied with the sentence given today. This was a particularly traumatic ordeal for the young girl who was extremely brave for finding the courage to tell Engage what had been happening to her. I would encourage anyone else who find themselves in that position to come forward.”