DANIEL WALDEN FROM MAIDSTONE SENTENCED FOR VOYEURISM AND COURT ORDER BREACHES IN SHOCKING CASE
In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community of Maidstone, Daniel Walden, a 19-year-old resident of the town, has been sentenced to a significant prison term following his involvement in voyeurism and multiple breaches of court-imposed sexual harm prevention orders (SHPO).Walden’s criminal activities came to light after a series of alarming incidents, including his attempt to film a young boy in a public toilet at the Fremlin Walk shopping centre in Maidstone.
The incident occurred when the boy, only six years old, was in a cubicle when he noticed an object with a hole in the middle being pushed underneath.
The boy was frightened and confused, especially after hearing strange banging noises from the adjacent cubicle.
CCTV footage captured Walden leaving the scene shortly after the incident, which led to his arrest by police officers nearby.
The young boy’s mother, deeply distressed by the event, read out a victim impact statement in court, describing how her son had been left disturbed and now refuses to use public toilets, highlighting the emotional toll of Walden’s actions.
This incident was not isolated.
Court records revealed that Walden had a history of inappropriate behaviour dating back to his early teens.
At just 12 years old, he was cautioned for exposure at his school in August 2012.
His first conviction for more serious offences came in February 2016, when he approached children playing football in the street.
Prosecutor Ryan Richter detailed how Walden deliberately kicked the ball into an isolated area, then exposed himself and molested two young boys.
Police fitted him with a tracking device, and officers found him in a park playing football with even younger children.
Witnesses reported that Walden had spoken to the children in a sexual manner and attempted to pull down their trousers and smack their bottoms.
Authorities also discovered a large quantity of condoms at Walden’s residence, indicating ongoing inappropriate behaviour.
As a result, he was placed under a three-year youth rehabilitation order with strict conditions, including a ban on internet access unless his browsing history could be displayed.
Despite these restrictions, Walden purchased a mobile phone without approval in August of the previous year and subsequently accessed indecent images of children via a library computer in September.
His community order was revoked at Basildon Crown Court, and he was sentenced to 12 months in youth custody.
Walden, who has a hearing impairment, appeared briefly in court but refused to remain present for the proceedings.
Judge Philip St John-Stevens sentenced him to three years in youth custody for breaching the SHPO and an additional 12 months, to run concurrently, for the voyeurism offence—although the maximum sentence for voyeurism is two years.
Furthermore, a new SHPO was imposed indefinitely, and Walden was banned from traveling abroad for five years.
The judge emphasized the danger Walden poses due to his paedophilic tendencies, which he openly acknowledged, and stressed the importance of robust post-release conditions to safeguard the community of Maidstone from future harm.
At the time of sentencing, Walden was living in a probation hostel within the town.
His offences and the court’s decision underscore the ongoing concerns about his behaviour and the potential risk he continues to pose to the public.
