ROBERT FLAHERTY KIDNAPS AND SEXUALLY ATTACKS SCHOOLGIRL IN WALTON

In a disturbing series of events that unfolded in Walton, a man identified as Robert Flaherty, aged 36, was convicted and sentenced for heinous crimes involving the kidnapping and sexual assault of a young girl. The incidents occurred over two consecutive days, leaving a lasting impact on the victim and the community alike.

On May 20 of the previous year, Flaherty, who was under the influence of heroin at the time, approached a 12-year-old girl as she was waiting at a bus stop to return home from school. According to court reports, he forcibly grabbed her, dragged her into an alleyway, and subjected her to an indecent assault. The court heard that Flaherty's actions were not isolated to that day; he returned the following evening, May 21, and again sexually abused the same girl in a similar manner.

Prosecutor Janet Reaney detailed the frightening ordeal, stating, “She was threatened and taken down an alleyway, where there was an old mattress. She was sat down by this man and she was indecently assaulted.” The court was also informed that after the attack, Flaherty threatened to kill her if she disclosed what had happened, prompting the girl to run away in fear. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, returned home but was too terrified to confide in her family about the assaults.

Further disturbing evidence revealed that months later, Flaherty was seen as a passenger in a friend’s car, which followed the girl from her school. During this incident, he threatened her life again, warning her not to report the crimes. The court also heard that Flaherty’s predatory behavior extended beyond these incidents; he was involved in a separate incident where he threatened to kill the girl for making allegations against him.

Flaherty, a resident of Church Road, Walton, faced multiple charges, including two counts of indecent assault, two counts of kidnapping, and intimidation of the young witness on March 2, 3, and 5. After a three-hour deliberation, the jury found him guilty of all seven charges. During the trial, Flaherty claimed he did not go out often, but evidence showed he regularly passed the girl’s school to collect a methadone prescription, revealing his heroin addiction that had persisted for 18 years. Flaherty has a criminal history, including convictions for burglary and theft.

His defense lawyer, Henry Gow, argued that Flaherty’s past and circumstances should be considered, but the court was unpersuaded. Judge Denis Clark sentenced Flaherty to six years in prison, ordered him to register as a sex offender indefinitely, and disqualified him from working with children. In his sentencing remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “You were three times the age of and twice the height of this young girl. She was making her way home from school when she was confronted by a chronic drug addict and she was cruelly sexually abused. She will not forget this for the rest of her life. You were and are drug-crazed and I am satisfied you were haunting this area for a likely target and you did it the following day.” The case has left a deep scar on the Walton community, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals under the influence of drugs and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable children.