Man who groomed and sexually assaulted teenager now behind bars

Terence Walters, from Billingham, bought the young girl gifts including vapes as well as money after sexually assaulting her with a massage device.

The 53-year-old used the device on her leg and back despite multiple pleas for him to stop during the assault last year.

He was also found to have asked the girl about her underwear and showed a nude photo of his former partner, the court heard.

After the child bravely reported the abuse to police, Walters was arrested, and evidence was gathered by detectives that led to him being charged.

Following a trial at Teesside Crown Court in October 2024, Walter was found guilty by a jury.

On Tuesday 17 December Walters returned to Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced by Judge Jonathan Carroll. He was told he will serve 13 years in prison for three counts of sexual assault by penetration, non-penetrative sexual assault with a child and sexual communication with a child.

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 Walter’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: “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.

There are numerous services and organisations available that can provide help and support including Teesside SARC and others can be found here.