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Evangelical Pastor Walter Chahwanda Jailed for Grooming and Abusing Girls on Social Media
Reported by: Sona Headlines - Crime Desk | Focus: Sexual Offences & Institutional Failure
A Gross Abuse Of Trust: An Evangelical Pastor who weaponized Social Media Platforms to target minors has been brought to Justice. Walter Chahwanda (34), of Plemonstall Court, Chester, was found Guilty of 17 Sexual Offences against victims aged between 14 and 17. The Criminal Investigation revealed a predatory pattern spanning from March 2017 to June 2020, including the Sexual Assault of a child under the age of 14.
Chahwanda previously served as a Minister in the Apostolic Faith Mission before founding the Sound Of Dominion church in Speke, Merseyside. His Predatory Reach extended across Manchester, South Yorkshire, the East Midlands, and Kent. He was handed a 14-year Extended Sentence at Liverpool Crown Court, consisting of nine years in Custody and five years on Extended Licence.
The 17 Guilty Verdicts
The Crown Prosecution Service originally authorized Merseyside Police to charge Chahwanda with 22 counts. After a full trial at Liverpool Crown Court, the jury returned 17 Guilty Verdicts.
5 Counts: Sexual Activity With A Child
Direct physical and digital offences involving underage victims.
6 Counts: Sending Indecent Electronic Images
The distribution of explicit digital media to minors.
3 Counts: Causing A Child To Watch A Sexual Act
Forcing victims to witness inappropriate content or live acts.
3 Counts: Sexual Communication With A Child
Grooming and predatory messaging via social media platforms.
Note: The defendant was found Not Guilty on counts of Rape and Assault By Penetration. The CPS offered No Evidence on two counts of Blackmail.
The Method Of Abuse
Chahwanda’s method was chillingly consistent. He exploited his Position Of Trust within Church-Related Activities to identify and target vulnerable children.
Digital Exploitation
Social Media Manipulation: He used Snapchat and Instagram to bypass parental supervision. He would sexualize conversations before sending Intimate Media of himself.
Psychological Manipulation
The Exposure Fantasy: A disturbing element of his Offending Pattern involved goading victims to "Expose Him," treating the risk of being caught as a Sexual Fantasy.
Institutional Failure & The Trial
Chahwanda had a role of authority and was admired by many. The pictures shocked and confused the victims who respected him.
The Church's Silence
The Failure: The jury was told the church was made aware of several complaints by women but did not take the "appropriate steps to safeguard young girls." He refused to stop, and his offending escalated until the father of one victim reported him to the NSPCC.
The "Role Play" Defense
The Trial: Under questioning, Chahwanda admitted to having sexualised conversations but dismissed them as "naughty," claiming he was just indulging in "role play" and that the victims had consented.
The Prosecution's Response
Justice for the Vulnerable
Aaron Smith, a specialist prosecutor with CPS Mersey Cheshire Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) unit, praised the bravery of the victims: "He told them he was risking everything by his actions, but it was the women and girls who were the ones who felt trapped and disgusted... Their courage in coming forward has ensured he is now a convicted sex offender who will spend many years in prison."
Restraining Orders Granted
Despite character references describing Chahwanda as "empathetic and selfless," Judge Swinnerton noted he had irreparably abused his position of power. The CPS successfully applied to the court for restraining orders to prevent him from ever contacting any of his victims again.
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