BLACKBURN CHILD SEX OFFENDER JOSHUA WALMSLEY DECEIVES WOMEN WITH FANTASIES OF ROYAL GUARD AND PRINCESS DIANA
In December 2015, a disturbing case emerged involving Joshua Walmsley, a known child sex offender from Blackburn, who fabricated an elaborate web of lies to manipulate and deceive women, while secretly breaching the conditions of his registration as a sex offender.Walmsley's false claims included extraordinary tales of military service, royal connections, and international adventures, all designed to charm and exploit unsuspecting women.
According to Blackburn magistrates, Walmsley's fabrications ranged from claiming to have served in the Royal Marine Commandos and the SAS, to speaking six languages and holding four university degrees.
He also asserted that he had protected Princess Diana during her visit to Angola, where he supposedly guided her across a minefield.
These stories, which he used to impress women, were entirely fabricated, yet they formed the core of his manipulative persona.
Walmsley, aged 39 and residing on Bedford Street in Blackburn, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of failing to comply with the requirements of the sex offenders’ register and three counts of fraudulently attempting to secure employment at various restaurants by submitting a false curriculum vitae.
His actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for legal obligations and a calculated effort to deceive others for personal gain.
The court heard that Walmsley's deception extended into his personal relationships.
One victim, a woman met at a Blackburn Cathedral-organized barbecue, described him as charismatic and Canadian-accented.
He claimed to have lived in Germany for ten years and to be from Vancouver, while also asserting that he was an engineer, a deep-sea diver, a bodyguard, and a military special forces operative.
He even told her he had been involved in guiding Princess Diana across a minefield.
Her suspicions grew when she attempted to verify his claims online and discovered blogs created by women who had fallen victim to his charms under various aliases.
Another woman, met through a dating site, was also duped by Walmsley's tall tales.
She believed he was a top chef, a former marine, and a man with six college degrees.
Their relationship included a seaside day out, during which she paid for their lunch and travel, and Walmsley stayed overnight at her home.
However, her suspicions increased when she noticed his real name on his CV was Joshua Walmsley, and a subsequent online search revealed his criminal record, including his status as a registered sex offender.
Further investigations uncovered that Walmsley had used at least 30 different aliases and provided false dates of birth to evade detection.
His criminal history is extensive, with 49 previous offences across the UK, including a 2013 conviction in Scotland for a sexual offence involving a girl with Down’s syndrome.
Despite his criminal record, Walmsley continued to manipulate women, often using his fabricated military and royal connections to gain their trust and affection.
During the court proceedings at Burnley Crown Court, Walmsley's defense argued that none of the women involved had expressed concerns about his behavior towards their children.
Nonetheless, the court was informed of his breaches of the sex offenders’ register, which included staying overnight in homes where children were present, in violation of his legal obligations.
Judge Mr.
Recorder Nick Clarke QC issued a stern warning to Walmsley, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency in future relationships.
He ordered Walmsley to cease using any aliases for the next three years and to adhere strictly to the conditions of his community order, which includes a ban on changing his name and a requirement to complete 80 hours of unpaid work.
The judge highlighted Walmsley's pattern of deception, noting that his claims of military service, royal connections, and culinary expertise were all fabricated, and that he had consistently lied to manipulate women.
In a detailed account of the first victim, a single mother met Walmsley in September of the previous year at Blackburn Cathedral.
He falsely introduced himself as Joshua Faulkner, claiming he was destined to become the next Dean of Blackburn Cathedral.
She described him as charismatic, speaking with a Canadian accent, and told how he fabricated stories about his family in Canada and his military background.
She recounted how he quickly leaned in for a kiss, which caught her off guard, and how he convinced her of his military and royal connections, including the story of guiding Princess Diana across a minefield.
Her suspicions grew when she noticed inconsistencies, such as his changing the subject when asked about Vancouver and the fact that his real name was Joshua Walmsley.
Her online searches eventually confirmed his criminal record, revealing his status as a sex offender.
Despite her doubts, she had already been drawn into his web of lies, giving him money for various expenses and allowing him to stay at her house.
The second victim, a single mother of three, also fell prey to Walmsley's false persona.
She believed he was a qualified chef and military veteran, and they spent a day at the seaside together.
He stayed overnight at her home, but her suspicions intensified when she discovered his real name and his criminal background through online searches, including blogs created by previous victims.
Walmsley's pattern of deception, criminal history, and breaches of legal obligations highlight a disturbing case of manipulation and criminality.
His actions have caused significant distress to his victims and underscore the importance of vigilance and legal enforcement in managing offenders with extensive criminal backgrounds.
