TONY WALTON'S SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN TANG HALL AND YORK CARRIAGEWORKS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Tang Hall and the wider York area, Tony Walton, a man once celebrated for his dedication to workers and community causes, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for a series of child sexual abuse offences spanning over three decades.

Walton, who was notably involved in efforts to save the York Carriageworks, was at the forefront of a campaign in 1995 that saw him join a delegation at Downing Street to present a petition to the Prime Minister, advocating for the preservation of the historic factory. During this period, he was secretly abusing a young boy, a fact that only came to light many years later.

The court heard that Walton, aged 58 and formerly residing on Burnholme Avenue in Tang Hall, had committed multiple offences against boys under the age of 14, with the youngest victim being just ten or eleven years old. The abuse began secretly in 1966 and continued for many years, with the victims being befriended by Walton, who would invite them to his home when his wife, Iris, was away, only to commit acts of sexual assault.

Judge Trevor Barber, presiding over the case at Hull Crown Court, acknowledged Walton’s contributions to the community, including his work as a union convenor and as a counselor for unemployed individuals. However, he emphasized that Walton’s criminal actions cast a dark shadow over his reputation. The judge stated, “On the other side of the coin, you committed a series of sexual offences.”

The judge further explained that the abuse, which Walton had kept hidden for decades, only surfaced after a victim came forward in May of the previous year. The impact of Walton’s actions was devastating; one victim, who was 14 at the time, attempted to hang himself, illustrating the profound psychological damage inflicted.

Walton was convicted at Doncaster Crown Court by a jury in September of three indecent assaults on the same boy who later attempted suicide. He pleaded guilty to three indecent assaults from the late 1960s, as well as to two indecent assaults and two indecent acts committed during the campaign to save the York Carriageworks.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Walton had once offered a victim a beer, although there was no evidence suggesting he tried to intoxicate the boys. His legal representative, Robert Terry, described Walton as a “broken man,” noting that his mental health had deteriorated following his conviction but had shown signs of improvement since.

Walton’s family stood by him throughout the proceedings, emphasizing his long-standing marriage of 37 years and his role as a devoted family man. The court was also informed that Walton had attempted to take his own life after the allegations became public. During police interviews, Walton disclosed that he himself had been abused as a child, adding a tragic dimension to his story.

As part of his sentence, Walton will be required to register as a sex offender for life and will be subject to extended supervision upon his release from prison. The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victims.

Reacting to the case, Ryedale MP John Greenway, who had worked with Walton during the 1995 campaign to save the York Carriageworks, expressed his shock and disappointment. “I am astounded to hear what offences he has committed,” Greenway said. “It’s very sad. During the campaign, I grew to like the man, but what he has admitted doing is just unacceptable. The damage he has done to these young boys is horrendous and cannot be tolerated.”