PETER WALTERS FROM GORSEINON SWANSEA SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER NEARLY 20-YEAR WAIT FOR JUSTICE

The long and painful journey for justice finally reached a conclusion for the victims of Peter Walters, a man from Gorseinon, Swansea, who was convicted of serious sexual offences against young girls. The ordeal for the victims and their families spanned nearly two decades, highlighting the difficulties faced in bringing such offenders to justice.

In December 2008, Walters was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of attacking multiple young girls. Despite his conviction, Walters continues to maintain his innocence, even after being caught in bed with one of his victims. The case drew significant attention, not only because of the heinous nature of the crimes but also due to the lengthy delay in securing justice for the victims.

The victims' mothers have spoken out publicly, expressing their relief that Walters has finally been held accountable. They shared their emotional stories, revealing that two of the girls were attacked five years prior to the conviction. However, one mother recounted that her daughter’s case was first reported back in 1998, but the legal proceedings at that time were dismissed, leaving her daughter without justice for nearly 20 years.

The mother explained the distress caused by the initial dismissal, saying, “To go through all that and have nothing come out was itself very distressing.” She added that Walters, who worked at Swansea’s largest DIY store, was seen in the community engaging in seemingly innocent activities, such as teaching children how to build bird boxes during summer holidays, where he was seen with children sitting on his lap. This added to the shock and betrayal felt by the families.

While the victims cannot be publicly identified due to the nature of the offences, their families are determined to raise awareness about Walters’ crimes. The mother of two other girls, aged 16 and 12 at the time of their assaults, emphasized the importance of public knowledge to prevent further victims. She expressed her concern about Walters’ presence in Cardiff, where he had been living, and detailed the ongoing trauma her daughters are experiencing. Her older daughter is undergoing therapy, and her younger daughter remains hyper-vigilant, even resorting to keeping a dog for protection.

She described Walters as a manipulative and deceitful individual, expressing her hope that he will never be able to harm another child again. The mother also voiced sympathy for Walters’ wife, believing she was misled by her husband’s lies. Her plea was for other victims of sexual abuse to come forward, asserting that only through reporting can such crimes be effectively stopped.

At the sentencing hearing held at Swansea Crown Court, Judge Keith Thomas acknowledged the severity of Walters’ offences. The judge pointed out that Walters had also lived in the Neath area and Ely in Cardiff, and emphasized that his crimes were serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence. As part of his punishment, Walters was ordered to be registered as a sex offender for life.

During the proceedings, defence lawyer Andrew Taylor described Walters’ four weeks in custody since his trial as a difficult period. Despite Walters’ continued denial of the allegations, the court upheld the conviction, sending a clear message about the importance of protecting vulnerable children and ensuring justice is served, regardless of the lengthy delays involved.