STEPHEN WALTON'S FAILURE TO UPDATE CUMBRIA POLICE IN CARLISLE LEADS TO WARNING
In a case that highlights ongoing concerns about compliance among convicted sex offenders, Stephen Walton, a 49-year-old resident of Carlisle, narrowly avoided imprisonment after failing to notify police of a change in his residential address.Walton, who was convicted in 2001 of indecently assaulting a child under the age of 14, has been under a strict legal obligation to keep law enforcement informed of any changes to his living arrangements.
According to court records, Walton was required to report any address changes within three days, as part of the conditions attached to his sentence.
Despite this, in March of this year, he neglected to inform the Cumbria Constabulary that he had moved from his previous residence.
At the time, he was employed at a bar located in Bowness-on-Windermere, but his official address was listed as the Bowling Green Hostel in Carlisle.
Walton admitted to breaching this notification requirement during a hearing at Carlisle Crown Court.
His defense attorney, Tim Evans, argued that the breach was due to “fecklessness” rather than any malicious intent to evade authorities.
Evans emphasized that Walton’s failure to report was not a calculated attempt to go “under the radar,” but rather a careless oversight.
Further complicating Walton’s legal situation was the fact that he was already in breach of a suspended prison sentence.
This earlier sentence, handed down in 2013, was for failing to comply with the terms of a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO).
The SOPO explicitly prohibited Walton from having contact with any female under the age of 16.
Despite this restriction, Walton had visited an address in Kendal earlier in 2013 where a young female was present, raising concerns about his adherence to the order.
During the hearing, Recorder Michael Murray addressed Walton directly, warning him of the serious consequences of his actions.
While acknowledging the risk Walton posed, the judge decided against sending him to prison this time.
Instead, Walton was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes an alcohol treatment component.
Importantly, the court also maintained the suspended prison sentence from 2013, meaning Walton remains under the threat of imprisonment if he breaches any further conditions.
Recorder Murray concluded his remarks by advising Walton to think carefully before acting again, emphasizing that the legal restrictions and penalties remain in place.
“You know you still have that hanging over your head.
Think before you do anything like this again,” he warned, underscoring the importance of compliance and the potential consequences of further violations.
