Child sex predator David Walker spent more than 18 months working with children — while on bail for abusing a 12-year-old boy

A CONVICTED child sex predator on bail for abusing a young boy spent more than 18 months working with vulnerable children because he told one simple lie — leading a child advocate to ask “why on earth would you trust a sex offender?”

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A CONVICTED child sex predator on bail for abusing a 12-year-old boy spent more than 18 months working as a volunteer with vulnerable families, after lying about his impending trial.

David Walker, 64, worked for a community centre in Adelaide’s south both before and during his trial for twice indecently assaulting the boy in December 2015, after ingratiating himself into the child’s family.

Walker continued to work with children and vulnerable families at the centre even after he was found guilty by a jury. He only stopped working with children when he was arrested in July 2017 and charged with five counts of breaching bail.

A leading child welfare spokeswoman called the South Australian justice system “ignorant” of the risk posed by child sex offenders who would “do whatever they can to do crimes against children”.

Hetty Johnston, founder of child advocate group Bravehearts, said the blame for Walker’s exposure to children lay with a system that assumes sex offenders will tell the truth to employers.

“Why on earth would you trust a sex offender?” Ms Johnston said.

“Why would you expect them to them to be doing the right thing?

“These are people who are compulsive, they cannot help themselves. It’s about as obvious as the nose on your face that these people are dangerous.

“The system is totally ignorant of the reality of child sex offending and the system is responsible for the harm that this man caused.”

Ms Johnston said Walker and other sex offenders who pose a risk to the community use the packed court system to their advantage, as their lawyers delay proceedings and drag criminal matters on for years.

“We need justice to be swift and we need for the courts to be able to decide these things quickly,” Ms Johnston said.

“(Sex offenders) are finding every way of extending the process and their lawyers are just as guilty for helping them with that. It’s a game for them and our children are being hurt while they play their game in court.”

In 1981, Walker was sentenced in the District Court for abusing two young brothers after their family trusted the older man to take care of them.

Walker was given a suspended jail sentence for indecently assaulting the two boys, aged 9 and 11.

In December, 2015, Walker once again preyed on a young child, abusing a 12-year-old boy who he was minding at the time. Police found photos of the boy’s underwear and several items of his clothing in Walker’s possession.

Walker was bailed on December 28, 2015, after being charged with two counts of indecent sexual assault.

His bail conditions specified he was not allowed to spend time with any person under 18 years old and, under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act, he was legally obligated to tell his employer that he had been charged with abusing a child.

Judge Paul Muscat heard that Walker had misled his employer at the community centre by insinuating that the victim of his offending had been an adult.

He continued to work at the community centre which offered cheap meals and was frequented by many vulnerable single-parent families.

Walker once again began spending time with children, breaching his bail.

He befriended a family with two young children, a nine-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy.

A nine-year-old boy, who was a friend of the family, also spent time with Walker.

Walker took the 13-year-old boy out for lunch and to the community centre as well as spending time with all three children around the family home.

Walker was arrested on July 28, 2017, and charged with five counts of breaching bail as well as a new count of indecent assault, which was later dropped.

Judge Muscat said Walker continued to be “a risk of further sexual offending against young boys” and his prospect for rehabilitation was “not promising”.

A psychological report found Walker suffered pedophilic disorder though he continued to deny abusing the 12-year-old boy.

Walker was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison with a non-parole period of two years and eight months.

He will be eligible for parole in March 2020.

Walker’s vile past

1981: Walker abuses two young brothers in his care. He receives a suspended prison sentence in the Adelaide District Court.

December 28, 2015: Police arrest Walker and charge him with two counts of aggravated indecent assault of a boy he is looking after. He is granted bail.

January — July 2017: Walker breaches bail conditions.

July 28, 2017: Walker is charged with five counts of breaching bail conditions.

May — 2017: Walker convicted of indecent assault of boy, 12.

April 23, 2018: A District Court judge sentences Walker to three years and eight months in prison with a non-parole period of two years and eight months.