Partner at top Manchester law firm caught in paedophile hunters' sting operation

A partner at a top Manchester law firm was caught in a 'paedophile sting' operation.

David Storry Walton, formerly of Spinningfields-based DWF Law, admitted trying to communicate with a child for the purpose of sexual gratification. A Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard the communication involved sending sexually explicit photographs, asking about sexual preferences and talking about masturbation.

Now Walton has been struck off following the hearing.

Walton was arrested at his home on November 3, 2019 'as the result of a 'sting' operation by a paedophile hunter group'. He had been duped by the group into thinking he was exchanging messages with an underage person.

READ MORE:

The 68-year-old resigned from DWF Law the following month. He was given a community order and placed on the sex offenders register for five years when he was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on October 26, last year.

Judge Alan Conrad described Walton's actions as 'very wrong'. He said: "I get the impression from reading the messages and reading what is said about the messages that in fact the perverted thrill for you was in the conversation itself rather than any concluded intention of meeting the other person, and it is of note that it stopped on October 24 and it was only a couple of weeks later when they came round to your house after everything else had gone silent.

"It has, of course, been a matter of great shame to you and you have shown some courage in bringing it out in the open with those who know you and highly respect you; in fact, rarely have I seen such an impressive body of testimonials.

"You have the advantage, therefore, of positive good character in works that you do both inside your own home and outside your own home and