CLIVE HAYES, THE LEEDS AND OLVESTON PREDATOR, LINKED TO MURDER IN THORNBURY

In February 2006, the criminal history of Clive Hayes, a man with a notorious past, took a dark turn as he became the prime suspect in the brutal murder of Polish care worker Karolina Mikolajewska. Hayes, aged 54 at the time, had a long and troubling history of sexual violence, which cast a shadow over his recent activities in the South West of England.

Hayes had previously served over two decades behind bars for his heinous crimes. He was released from Leyhill Open Prison in 1999, after which he seemingly attempted to reintegrate into society. However, his past soon caught up with him when police issued a wanted notice, seeking to question him in connection with Mikolajewska’s murder. The investigation took a dramatic turn when Hayes’s vehicle was involved in a fatal crash in Thornbury, which subsequently exploded in flames, leading to his death. Authorities have not officially confirmed whether the individual who died in the fiery incident was indeed Hayes, but the circumstances have raised significant questions.

Karolina Mikolajewska, a 20-year-old Polish national, was found dead at a flat in Patchway, a location close to Bristol. The victim had been subjected to a violent assault, with evidence indicating she was battered to death. Her tragic death has shocked the local community and prompted a thorough investigation by law enforcement agencies.

Clive Hayes’s criminal record is extensive and disturbing. His first conviction dates back to 1973 when he was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to raping two 14-year-old girls in Leeds. His predatory behavior did not cease there. In 1976, just five months after his early release, Hayes was handed a life sentence following a conviction for raping a 15-year-old girl at knifepoint. During his trial at Leeds, the presiding judge, Mr Justice Boreham, condemned Hayes sharply, stating: “You have degraded a clean young woman.”

Following his release from prison, Hayes relocated to Awkley near Olveston, where he continued to live until his death. The parole board responsible for his early release has announced that it will conduct an urgent review of the decision, with a High Court judge overseeing the process. This review aims to understand how Hayes was permitted to re-enter society after serving a total of 23 years behind bars, raising serious questions about the parole system and the safety of the community.

Meanwhile, the investigation into Mikolajewska’s murder remains ongoing, with authorities scrutinizing Hayes’s past and the circumstances surrounding his death. The tragic case continues to evoke concern and calls for justice from the local residents and the wider community.