DANE WALKER FROM TACKLEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ABUSE OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN OXFORD

In a case that has sparked considerable public and legal debate, Dane Walker, a 27-year-old man from Nethercot Road, Tackley, was spared immediate imprisonment after admitting to engaging in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl. The incident, which involved inappropriate communication and physical encounters, has raised questions about the judicial handling of such cases.

Walker initially established contact with the young girl through social media platform Facebook and via text messaging. Over time, their exchanges escalated to the sharing of explicit photographs, with both parties exchanging nude images of themselves. The situation culminated in a meeting late last year, during which the two engaged in sexual activity. The details of their interactions came to light after the girl confided in a school counselor about the incidents in March, prompting police investigation.

At Oxford Crown Court on a recent Friday, Walker faced charges of two counts of sexual activity with a child. He pleaded guilty to these charges, but notably, the victim chose not to cooperate with the prosecution. During the proceedings, defence barrister Lucy Tapper highlighted that both the police officer involved in the case, Natalie Thompson, and the girl’s parents, had expressed a preference for the matter to be resolved through a police caution rather than a custodial sentence. In fact, Officer Thompson had even appealed against the Crown Prosecution Service’s decision to formally charge Walker.

Despite the seriousness of the offences, Judge Gordon Risius acknowledged that the sentencing guidelines would typically recommend a sentence of approximately two years and eight months in prison. However, in this case, he chose to take a “wholly exceptional course,” opting for a community-based sentence instead. Walker was sentenced to three years of supervision, during which he is required to participate in a sex offender group programme. The judge emphasized that the court does not treat such offences lightly but also considers the circumstances and the attitudes of the victim’s family.

In his remarks, Judge Risius underscored the importance of understanding why the law strictly prohibits sexual activity between adults and children. He explained that, regardless of a child's apparent maturity, they are not psychologically or physically ready for such encounters, especially with significantly older individuals. The judge also pointed out that the case’s handling was influenced by the victim’s family’s support and understanding of the situation, acknowledging that they have been supportive despite the distress caused.

Furthermore, the judge clarified that the three-year community order would not be combined with the sex offender group programme, as the duration of the programme is too lengthy to be served alongside a suspended prison sentence. He stressed, however, that this decision does not diminish the severity of the sanctions imposed.

Louise Rosher, a spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service, commented on the case, stating, “Where consulted, the CPS will only advise that someone is offered a caution when it is considered to be a proportionate response to the seriousness and consequences of the offence.” The case has once again highlighted the complex balance courts must strike between justice, rehabilitation, and public safety in cases involving sexual offences against minors.