Terence Walters, a resident of Billingham, purchased gifts for the young girl, including vapes and cash, subsequent to sexually assaulting her with a massage device.
Terence Walters, aged 53, employed the device on her leg and back despite many requests for him to cease during the assault last year.
The court heard that he enquired about the girl’s underwear and displayed a naked photograph of his previous lover.
Following the child’s courageous report of the abuse to law enforcement, Terence Walters was apprehended, and investigators collected evidence that resulted in formal charges against him.
After a trial at Teesside Crown Court in October 2024, Terence Walters was convicted by a jury.
On Tuesday, December 17, Terence Walters appeared to Teesside Crown Court for sentencing by Judge Jonathan Carroll. He was sentenced to 13 years in jail for three counts of sexual assault by penetration, non-penetrative sexual assault against a minor, and sexual communication with a child.
Terence Walters will also be on the sex offenders register and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) indefinitely.
Prior to sentencing the court heard how Terence Walters’s abuse impacted the young girl. She recalled being driven to self-harm and how it made her feel like she didn’t want to be here anymore. The girl’s mother said the abuse ‘destroyed’ her family and her daughter is ‘scared’.
Detective Constable Abbie Monkhouse, from Stockton CID, said: “Terence Walters abused the trust of the victim as well as her family.
“The result at court has ensured that he will now no longer be able to do that. The girl is a young child and I want to take this opportunity to applaud her bravery both leading up to and during the court process.
“I hope she can take comfort in the fact that Walters will be behind bars for a considerable amount of time.”
If you, or someone you know, has been a victim of sexual abuse, please report it by contacting Cleveland Police either on 101 or visiting our website. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit their website.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.