STEPHEN WALKER OF KIDDERMINSTER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF A BOY

In November 2011, a man from Kidderminster, Stephen Michael Walker, was sentenced to four years in prison for his sexual abuse of a young boy.

Walker, who is 51 years old and was known as Mick, of Baskerville Road, pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault and eight counts of gross indecency. Judge Patrick Thomas QC sentenced him at Worcester Crown Court and also ordered him to remain on the sex offenders register for life.

The offences took place between 1989 and 1996, beginning when the victim was just four years old and continuing until he was 11. Walker, known to the victim, sexually abused him once or twice weekly throughout this period. The abuse ended only when the victim, knowing Walker, was old enough to cut off contact.

Detective Constable Carol Davenport of West Mercia Police commented: “The abuse has had a huge impact on the victim, now a young man. His life has been badly affected by what Walker did to him. He is to be commended for having the courage to come forward and at least Walker’s guilty pleas meant he was spared the further ordeal of having to give evidence in court. Whether or not the victim will ever fully be able to come to terms with what happened to him, we hope he will take comfort from knowing justice has been done and start to pick up the pieces of his life.”

She added: “This sentence is proportionate and we feel it reflects the severity of the offences, as well as sending out a strong message to offenders that crimes of this nature can be successfully prosecuted, even many years after they occurred. We also hope that the sentence gives some reassurance to other victims of historical sexual abuse and their families that the police will robustly pursue all allegations, and do all we can to ensure such offenders are brought to justice.”