SCOTT WALKER FROM PETERBOROUGH SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDER OF TEEN OVER ABUSE CLAIMS
In a tragic case that has shocked the community of Peterborough, a man named Scott Walker has been convicted of the brutal murder of a teenage girl, Bernadette Walker, who had accused him of years of sexual abuse.The sentencing took place at Cambridge Crown Court, where the judge, Mrs.
Justice McGowan, sentenced Scott Walker to serve a minimum of 32 years in prison for his heinous crime.
Bernadette, aged 17, had confided in her mother about the abuse she endured at the hands of Scott Walker, who was not her biological father.
She revealed that the abuse had been ongoing for several years, a revelation that ultimately led to her tragic disappearance.
Bernadette was last seen on July 18, 2020, when Scott Walker collected her from his parents' residence in Peterborough.
Despite extensive investigations, her body has never been recovered, and she is presumed dead.
The court heard that Scott Walker, along with his partner Sarah Walker, who was still living with him despite their separation, conspired to conceal Bernadette’s death.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding QC described their actions as forming an 'unholy alliance' to cover up the crime.
The trial revealed that on July 16, 2020, Bernadette, also known as Bee, confided in her mother about the abuse, which she described in her diary as a traumatic experience.
She wrote, 'Told my mum about my dad and the abuse.
She called me a liar and threatened to kill me if I told the police.' Following her disclosure, Bernadette was sent to stay with Scott Walker’s parents.
The court established that during the time Scott Walker collected Bernadette, his phone was switched off between 11:23 and 12:54 BST.
Prosecutors argued that it was during this 91-minute window that he murdered his stepdaughter.
Once his phone reconnected to the network, the first call he made was to Sarah Walker, lasting nine minutes.
During this call, the couple allegedly devised a story to cover up Bernadette’s death, with Sarah Walker playing a central role in orchestrating the deception.
Evidence presented in court showed that Sarah Walker had attempted to manipulate the situation by sending messages from Bernadette’s phone, giving the false impression that she was still alive after her disappearance.
The court also heard that Sarah and Scott Walker hacked into Bernadette’s social media accounts and posted messages pretending to be her, further complicating the cover-up.
Judge McGowan emphasized that Scott Walker’s refusal to disclose the location of Bernadette’s body demonstrated a lack of respect for her dignity and the truth.
Scott Walker was found guilty of both murder and perverting the course of justice, while Sarah Walker was convicted of two counts of perverting the course of justice.
The judge condemned their actions, highlighting the betrayal of trust and the cruelty inflicted upon Bernadette.
The sentence reflects the severity of the crime and the ongoing pain experienced by her family and community in Peterborough.
