STEVE WALTERS FROM BROXTOWE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN DERBY AND LONDON COURTS

In a case that has shocked the community of Broxtowe and the wider Nottinghamshire area, Steven Walters, a man with a troubling past, has seen his prison sentence for child sexual abuse significantly increased by the Court of Appeal. The incident dates back to the late 1990s, but the legal repercussions have only recently come to a head.

Walters, who resides on Whitwell Road in Broxtowe, was originally sentenced to two years in prison at Derby Crown Court in November of the previous year. The conviction stemmed from his being found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. Despite the severity of these charges, the initial sentence was considered by many to be unduly lenient, prompting an appeal.

On the 17th of March, at London's Appeal Court, Lord Goldsmith, QC, successfully argued that the original sentence did not adequately reflect the gravity of Walters' crimes. As a result, the sentence was increased to three and a half years. Although the court could have imposed a five-year term, Walters was granted some leniency due to his health condition—specifically, diabetes, which has been noted to potentially shorten his life expectancy.

Walters, aged 41 at the time of sentencing, had previously served as a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. It was revealed during the proceedings that he had concealed prior convictions related to dishonesty before his appointment to the bench, raising questions about the vetting process that allowed him to serve in such a capacity.

During the appeal, Lord Justice Kay detailed the disturbing behavior of Walters. In 2000, while still serving as a JP, Walters took a nine-year-old girl to the magistrates' courts. There, he showed her the cells and made a chilling remark, saying, “lock her up! This is where bad people get locked up.” This act appeared to be an attempt to intimidate or dissuade her from revealing the abuse she was suffering.

The young girl endured abuse over a four-month period from June 1 to September 30, 1999. She did not disclose her ordeal until August 2001, when she confided in a friend's mother. The judge emphasized that this delay was likely influenced by Walters' manipulative behavior, which may have instilled fear or confusion in the victim.

The court acknowledged that the psychological impact on the girl would be profound and lasting. The judge stated that the abuse would have “a deep psychological effect on her for the rest of her life,” underscoring the seriousness of Walters' actions.

Following the conviction and subsequent appeal, Walters has been dismissed from his role as a JP. An investigation by the Lord Chancellor’s Department is underway to determine how Walters' previous convictions went unnoticed during his appointment process.

As a consequence of the increased sentence, Walters will now be required to remain on the sex offenders’ register for life, rather than the ten years initially ordered. This case has cast a long shadow over the community of Broxtowe and highlights ongoing concerns about safeguarding and the vetting procedures for those in positions of public trust.