November 2014

Grandfather jailed for sending sexual Facebook messages to schoolgirl

A grandfather who sent messages of a sexual nature to an under-age girl on Facebook has been jailed for three and half years at Lincoln Crown Court.

Construction manager Terrence Walker, 56, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life after he admitted two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Both offences occurred in the Grantham area over two years ago after Walker, who now lives in Peterborough, had been in contact with the girl on Facebook, the court was told.

Passing sentence, Judge Michael Heath told Walker the age difference between him and girl made their contact on Facebook “totally and utterly inappropriate.”

“There had been some Facebook correspondence with this girl for some time,” Judge Heath said.

“There had been some attempt to conceal evidence of what was inappropriate by getting her to delete messages.”

Giles Beddloe, mitigating, told the court Walker now recognized what he said to the girl was unquestionably wrong.

Mr Beddloe said Walker expected his remarks to be taken as a joke and had no intention of any sexual activity taking place.

The court heard Walker was well regarded after working for the same company for 13 years and had now moved to Peterborough.

Mr Beddloe added: “He is a father and grandfather.”

Walker, now of Nicholas Taylor Gardens, Bretton, Peterborough, admitted two charges of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Both offences occurred during 2012 when the girl, who can not be named for legal reasons, was aged under 15.

Judge Heath told Walker the matter was too serious for him to pass a suspended sentence.

“The only thing I can justify for this kind of behaviour is immediate custody,” Judge Heath said.