JAMES WALTON FROM MIDDLESBROUGH SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR BRUTAL SEX ATTACK
In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Middlesbrough, James Walton, aged 32, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after committing a series of violent and heinous crimes against a woman in her own home.The incident, which unfolded over a span of more than 12 hours, involved multiple assaults, including strangulation, rape, and psychological torment, leaving the victim traumatized and fearing for her life.
Walton forcibly entered the woman’s residence when she opened her door, an act that marked the beginning of a terrifying ordeal.
Once inside, he dragged her into the living room, where he proceeded to attack her with extreme violence.
Court proceedings revealed that Walton placed the woman in a chokehold, rendering her limp and helpless.
Following this, he slapped her across the face with such force that she described seeing black and stars, and blood streamed from her busted lip.
The victim recounted her terror, stating she believed Walton intended to kill her during the assault.
Throughout the night, Walton raped the woman three times, and during the course of the attack, he also attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing her police case.
The court heard that he kept her confined within her home for over 12 hours, preventing her from leaving and subjecting her to ongoing abuse.
The victim, in her emotional victim statement read aloud in court, described her experience vividly, recalling how she saw blackness and stars after being struck, and how she awoke to find blood on the floor and a severe headache, likening the pain to her brain being rattled.
In addition to the physical violence, Walton forced the woman to clean up the blood and even force-fed her pasta when she was clearly unwilling to eat.
His manipulative tactics extended to trying to pressure her into dropping the case against him, claiming that she had wanted to have sex with him and that she had begged him to stay.
The court also learned that Walton has a history of violence towards women, having previously assaulted two other women.
He was released from a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence just last year before committing this latest attack.
During the trial, Walton appeared via video link from prison and showed signs of defiance, shaking his head as the judge delivered the sentence.
The judge condemned his pattern of violence and controlling behavior, emphasizing the danger he poses to women.
The judge stated, “You have a history of violence and dominating behaviour towards women.
You put your hands around her neck.
You slapped her around her face.
You made her clean up the blood saying: ‘That’s it, I’m going to jail.
I might as well just slit your face up.’” He further added, “She wasn’t allowed to leave her house.
You raped her three times.
It’s necessary to protect women from serious harm by you.
I have concluded that you are a dangerous man, and I shall impose an extended sentence.” Walton, of Ashling Way in Middlesbrough, was sentenced to 19 years in prison, with an extended license period of six years.
He is eligible for parole after serving two-thirds of his sentence but can be recalled to prison if he breaches the conditions of his license after release.
Additionally, Walton will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from further harm.
