FREDDIE EMERY-WALLIS SHOCKING CRIME IN PORTSMOUTH AND WALLIS LEAVES PUBLIC IN DISBELIEF

Freddie Emery-Wallis, a once-respected figure in Hampshire's political landscape, has passed away at the age of 89 following a stroke. His life was marked by a distinguished career that spanned several decades, during which he held prominent positions including Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and leader of Hampshire County Council. His reputation, however, was irrevocably tarnished by a criminal conviction that surfaced in the early 2000s.

Emery-Wallis’s journey into public service began in 1961 when he was elected as a Conservative councillor representing the St Thomas ward within Portsmouth City Council. His political ascent was swift; by 1968, he had been appointed Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, a role that placed him at the forefront of civic leadership. Just a year later, in 1969, he became an Alderman for the city council, a position that ranked just below the Lord Mayor in influence and responsibility. His influence continued to grow, and in 1973, he was elected to Hampshire County Council, eventually rising to the position of council leader in 1976.

Throughout his career, Emery-Wallis was known for his close associations with royalty and other high-profile VIPs, reflecting his status within the political and social elite of Hampshire. His service was recognized nationally when he was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 1999, an honor bestowed upon him during the Queen’s birthday honours list. He also served as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, further cementing his role as a prominent figure in the county’s civic life.

However, Emery-Wallis’s legacy was overshadowed by a dark chapter from his past. In 2001, he was convicted of indecently assaulting two teenage paperboys who worked above a shop he owned in Leith Avenue, Paulsgrove, during the 1960s and 1970s. The crimes involved inappropriate conduct towards the boys while they were working at his shop. The court found him guilty of molesting the two boys and sentenced him to nine months in prison. Despite the conviction, he was acquitted of additional charges, including a count of indecent assault and an attempted act of buggery, as the jury was unable to reach a verdict on those counts.

His fall from grace was dramatic and complete. Following his conviction, Emery-Wallis was stripped of his CBE and his role as Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire. The scandal not only ended his public career but also cast a long shadow over his previously esteemed reputation. His death marks the end of a life that was once characterized by public service and high societal standing, but also by a criminal conviction that shocked the communities of Portsmouth and Wallis, where he had spent much of his life in the public eye.