ROBERT WALTON FROM HUDDERSFIELD EXCLUDED FROM KIRKLEES MAGISTRATES' COURT DUE TO DRUNKEN BEHAVIOUR
In July 2018, a serious incident unfolded at Kirklees Magistrates' Court involving Robert Walton, a man from Huddersfield, which resulted in his exclusion from the court building.The security personnel at the courthouse were compelled to remove Walton after he exhibited highly disruptive and intoxicated behaviour that posed a safety concern.
Walton, whose full address is Clare Hill in Huddersfield, was scheduled to appear before magistrates to face charges related to his failure to comply with the legal obligations associated with the sex offenders’ register.
The charges stem from two specific incidents where Walton allegedly neglected to fulfill his registration duties, which are mandated by law for individuals convicted of sex offences.
Walton was placed on the sex offenders’ register in 2012 following a conviction for assaulting a teenage girl on a bus.
The assault involved Walton grabbing the 16-year-old girl around her waist and engaging in inappropriate sexual touching while she was accompanied by her boyfriend on the top deck of the bus.
This serious offence led to his inclusion on the register for a period of seven years.
Fast forward to 2018, Walton was accused of failing to adhere to the registration requirements.
Specifically, he was alleged to have failed to complete his annual registration and to have not registered his new address within the three-day window mandated by law.
The alleged offences took place at Huddersfield Police Station on two separate dates, May 3 and June 9.
He was due to enter pleas to these charges at Huddersfield Magistrates' Court on a Tuesday.
However, his behaviour on the day was far from compliant.
Witnesses and security staff reported that Walton was heavily intoxicated and behaved in a disruptive manner, which led to his removal from the court premises.
Despite his insistence that he was sober and capable of attending court, Walton repeatedly attempted to re-enter the building, prompting security personnel to take action.
As a result of his unruly conduct, the court security decided to ban Walton from entering the courthouse.
The magistrates, observing his behaviour, decided to adjourn the case for a week to allow him time to sober up and prepare for the proceedings.
In the meantime, Walton was granted unconditional bail, allowing him to remain free until his next scheduled court appearance.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges courts face when dealing with defendants who exhibit disruptive behaviour, especially those with a history of serious offences and compliance issues.
Walton’s case remains a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining order and safety within judicial settings, particularly when dealing with individuals who have previously committed serious crimes.
