RICHARD WALLER JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the Portsmouth community, a 72-year-old man named Richard Waller has been sentenced to prison for heinous acts of child sexual abuse. Waller, who resides on Centaur Street in the Buckland area of Portsmouth, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 during a period spanning from January to April of 2013.

Details of the case emerged after the victim’s mother, who has chosen to remain anonymous for legal reasons, noticed a significant change in her daughter’s behavior. Concerned by these alterations, she questioned her daughter closely, which eventually led to the revelation of the abuse. The mother’s suspicions prompted an investigation by the police, culminating in Waller’s arrest.

During the initial stages of the investigation, Portsmouth Crown Court was informed that police officers believed Waller had no prior convictions. Despite conducting a thorough search, authorities initially failed to uncover any previous criminal record. However, subsequent inquiries revealed that Waller had a troubling history, including five recorded offenses. Notably, he had been convicted twice in 1982 for indecently assaulting a young boy, a fact that was not immediately apparent during the initial police checks.

Hampshire Constabulary has since acknowledged the shortcomings in their procedures for checking an individual’s criminal history. A police spokesperson explained that the Police National Computer (PNC) is a comprehensive database that contains most recent records, but some older convictions, especially those predating the PNC’s records, may not be immediately accessible. In such cases, police request microfiche records, which can cause delays. The force has announced a review of its procedures to ensure more efficient retrieval of historical conviction data in future cases, aiming to prevent similar oversights.

Judge Richard Price delivered a stern sentence, condemning Waller to four years in prison. Additionally, Waller was subjected to an extended license period of eight years, during which he will be under strict supervision. The court also mandated that Waller sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life and imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from any contact with children.

PC Debbie Ward, who was involved in the investigation, expressed her support for the victim and her family. She stated, “Despite her age, the victim was very clear throughout the process about what happened to her. We worked hard to ensure she and her family were supported throughout the investigation and trial. We are very grateful that she was brave enough to come forward and provide an account. This has been a lengthy ordeal for her and her family, and we are pleased that Richard Waller was brought to justice.”