JOHN WALTERS FROM PEMBROKE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL COMMUNICATIONS WITH TEENS IN SWANSEA

In June 2022, a man from Pembroke, identified as John Walters, faced serious legal consequences after engaging in inappropriate and illegal online communications with minors. Walters, residing at Cromwell Court in Pembroke, appeared before Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced for his actions, which involved sending explicit messages and images to what he believed were underage girls.

Walters, aged 57, had previously admitted to three charges of engaging in sexual communication with minors. The court was informed that he had been in contact with three different young girls through an online application, unaware that these accounts were actually operated by paedophile hunters aiming to catch predators. These decoy profiles were part of an undercover operation designed to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit minors.

The incidents took place between March 28 and April 15 of the previous year. During this period, Walters, who was employed as a restaurant worker, believed he was communicating with a 13-year-old girl. In his messages, he falsely claimed to be 45 years old. He asked her personal questions about her body, specifically inquiring about the size of her breasts, and persistently requested explicit photographs of her in her bra and school uniform. His messages were graphic, including a photo of a penis that he had downloaded from the internet, which he sent to the girl.

In a separate exchange in May, Walters believed he was speaking to a 12-year-old girl. He again asked about her physical development, specifically whether she had reached puberty and if her breasts were developed. He continued to press for naked images and photos of her in her school attire, showing a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior. Walters also inquired whether she had seen a penis, asserting that her age was irrelevant.

The final set of messages involved what Walters thought was a 14-year-old girl. He asked her about her breast size and requested photographs of her in her bra and school uniform, continuing his pattern of inappropriate communication.

His activities did not go unnoticed for long. The vigilante group tracking his online interactions located him at his workplace, a restaurant in Tenby. They confronted him directly and handed over their evidence to the police. Authorities then seized Walters’ mobile phone for further investigation.

During police interviews, Walters claimed that he had asked one of the girls for photos because he did not believe her identity, asserting that his request was not driven by sexual motives. He also stated that the explicit image of a penis was downloaded from the internet, not produced by himself.

It was revealed that Walters had a lengthy criminal history, with 27 convictions spanning 43 offences. However, his last conviction prior to this case was in 2011, and none of his previous offences were of a similar sexual nature.

In sentencing, Mr. Recorder G Bull, QC, emphasized the gravity of Walters’ actions. He stated, “Society looks down upon offenders like you. Trying to contact children and by that contact corrupt them. That is a serious matter. The best outcome for society is that you have your mind set changed.”

Walters was sentenced to a two-year community order, which includes a 20-day rehabilitation requirement and mandatory attendance at the Horizon Programme. Additionally, he was placed under a five-year sexual harm prevention order and will be registered on the sex offenders register for five years. The court also ordered him to pay costs of £200 and a surcharge of £95. Furthermore, a confiscation order was issued concerning his mobile phone, which was used in the commission of these offences.