Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former church leader in the United Kingdom has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences against children and young women he groomed through social media.
Walter Chahwanda, 34, formerly of Plemonstall Court in Chester and a pastor in the Apostolic Faith Mission, was handed a 14-year sentence at Liverpool Crown Court for 17 offences, including sexual activity with children and related crimes. He will serve nine years in prison, followed by five years on extended licence. His convictions include the sexual assault of a child under 14, as well as offences involving girls aged between 14 and 17. The sentence reflects both the seriousness of the harm caused and his abuse of a position of trust within a religious setting.
The court heard that Chahwanda used his role as a pastor to target victims over several years, beginning around 2017. He groomed girls across multiple regions in England, including Manchester, South Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and Kent. His initial contact often occurred through church activities, after which he connected with victims on social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram. He engaged them in seemingly innocent conversations before gradually introducing sexual content, including sending explicit videos of himself to desensitize and manipulate the girls.
Investigators learned that several victims were initially confused and shocked by the interactions, given Chahwanda’s position of authority and trust. Some attempted to alert friends or church members, but the inappropriate conduct persisted until families reported the abuse to child protection services, prompting a police investigation that led to his arrest.
During police interviews, Chahwanda denied the allegations, describing his actions dismissively as “naughty” and suggesting the victims had consented. The jury rejected this defense, finding him guilty on 17 counts after a full trial.
Prosecutors highlighted the betrayal of trust inherent in the offences, emphasizing that Chahwanda exploited his position to lure vulnerable young people into sexualised situations. The court also issued restraining orders preventing him from contacting any of the victims in the future.
In delivering the sentence, the court acknowledged the significant impact on the victims, many of whom struggled to reconcile Chahwanda’s pastoral role with his crimes. Although he faced 22 charges relating to nine victims, the jury found him guilty on 17 counts.
The case underscores the seriousness with which British courts view the grooming of minors online and the responsibilities of adults in positions of authority, particularly within institutions serving children. Victim support organizations praised the conviction, highlighting the courage of survivors and the importance of holding offenders accountable.
Authorities and child protection advocates have reiterated the need for vigilance around online interactions between adults and minors, stressing the importance of education, monitoring, and swift reporting to prevent exploitation.
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