DAVID WALLS AND SHOCKING BREACHES IN HARTLEPOOL
A convicted sex offender from Hartlepool, David Walls, has found himself back in court after violating a court order designed to restrict his activities due to his previous offenses.Walls, aged 43, was sentenced to a prison term of 28 months at Teesside Crown Court on a Tuesday, following his plea of guilty to three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
The court was informed by prosecutor Jenny Haigh that Walls is a registered sex offender who has a history of grooming and attempting to meet young girls for sexual purposes.
She detailed that on March 15, 2017, Walls was convicted after engaging in online chats with a girl, during which he offered her cigarettes and proposed to meet for sexual activity.
The court heard that the girl, aware of the wrongness of his intentions, chose not to meet him, thereby avoiding potential harm.
Despite the initial conviction and the imposition of notification requirements—conditions meant to keep the community safe and monitor his whereabouts—Walls subsequently breached these obligations in July of the same year.
The police responded by obtaining a warrant to visit his known address.
Upon arrival, they discovered that Walls was no longer residing there, indicating he had moved or was attempting to evade authorities.
Subsequently, officers visited his brother’s residence, where Walls was found and apprehended after attempting to flee the scene.
During this process, police searched his phone and electronic devices.
It was evident from the investigation that Walls had been using a laptop and iPad while staying at his brother's house.
The search unearthed evidence that Walls was actively using social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, often under aliases.
The prosecutor highlighted Walls’s extensive criminal history, which includes six convictions encompassing a total of 16 offenses, many of which involved breaching earlier court orders.
In mitigation, the court heard that Walls had admitted to his misconduct and acknowledged, with the benefit of hindsight, that he needs to alter his behavior to prevent further crimes.
The sentence handed down reflects both his past conduct and the seriousness of breaching protective court orders intended to safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Walls, of Rugby Street in Hartlepool, was ultimately sentenced to 28 months in prison, underscoring the judiciary’s stance on violations of court-imposed restrictions for sex offenders and emphasizing the importance of community safety.
