WALTER PARISH FROM NORTH CHEAM ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE DECADES OF CHILD ABUSE IN 2010

In a case that has shocked the community of North Cheam, Walter Parish, a man residing on Matlock Crescent, was found guilty of a series of heinous crimes spanning over two decades, yet he narrowly avoided a prison sentence. The offences, which involved the sexual abuse of young children, came to light only after years of silence and suffering.

Between 1974 and 1996, Parish, then aged between his early 30s and mid-50s, engaged in a pattern of indecent assaults on four young victims, all under the age of 14 at the time. These assaults took place within the confines of his own home, where Parish exploited innocent children who had come over to do schoolwork or play computer games. The victims, whose identities remain protected, endured repeated abuse over the years, with some subjected to ongoing molestation.

The revelation of these crimes was triggered in 2009 when one female victim, now 28 years old, decided to come forward and report her experiences to the police. Her courage prompted others to speak out, revealing a disturbing history of abuse that had remained hidden for decades. Prosecutor Paul Cavin detailed the extent of Parish’s misconduct during the court proceedings, stating, “Once that allegation was made many more came out of the woodwork.”

During the hearing at Croydon Crown Court, it was disclosed that Parish had systematically and repeatedly assaulted one particular girl between 1974 and 1979. The court heard that Parish had even attempted to bribe her with gifts, promising to buy her something from a catalogue if she allowed him to continue his abuse. Such manipulative tactics underscored the predatory nature of his actions.

Another victim, a 10-year-old girl, was targeted in 1993 after she used Parish’s computer to print her homework. Following this, Parish took her to his bedroom, where he removed her dungarees and sexually assaulted her. The court also heard about a third victim, a friend of Parish’s son, who was abused intermittently from 1993 until 1996 while visiting Parish’s home in North Cheam, often while playing computer games. A fourth individual, who was also a minor at the time, reported being assaulted between 1987 and 1989.

Throughout the proceedings, Parish’s defense, represented by Michael Chambers, stated that Parish accepted full responsibility for his actions. Chambers explained that Parish’s decision to plead guilty was motivated by a desire to spare his victims the trauma of a lengthy trial. The court was also informed that the case had taken a toll on Parish’s personal life, with his wife now seeking to end their 30-year marriage.

Initially, Parish denied all 14 charges brought against him in February of that year. However, he changed his plea to guilty in July, a move that was taken into account by the court as a sign of remorse. Judge John Tanzer acknowledged the long-lasting impact of abuse, emphasizing that actions committed many years ago can have profound effects on victims’ lives. He noted Parish’s acknowledgment of the harm caused and his demonstration of contrition, which facilitated some closure for the victims.

Despite the severity of the crimes, Judge Tanzer decided against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, Parish was sentenced to a 36-month community order, which includes supervision and registration on the sex offenders’ register. The judge also highlighted the importance of such cases in serving as a warning to others, stating, “This case may encourage others to do what you have done,” underscoring the ongoing societal need to address and prevent child abuse.