COREY HYCZ FROM RUTHIN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES AND BLACKMAIL IN NORTH WALES

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Ruthin and the wider North Wales region, Corey Hycz, a 21-year-old footballer associated with Ruthin Town FC, was convicted of multiple serious offences involving a young schoolboy. The incidents spanned from September 2016 to May 2019, during which Hycz engaged in manipulative and predatory behavior aimed at an 11-year-old boy, using social media as his tool of choice.

The court heard that Hycz created a fake Instagram account under a false identity, posing as a young girl to lure the victim into a conversation. The initial contact was made in 2016, when the defendant, under the guise of a schoolgirl, approached the boy, who was just 11 years old at the time. Hycz expressed interest in forming a friendship and complimented the boy, claiming he found him attractive. As their online interaction progressed, Hycz inquired whether the boy was post-pubescent, a question that raised alarm among the authorities.

Following the boy’s uncertain response, Hycz requested explicit images and videos of his genitals, asserting that he needed to see if the boy was of a certain age. After the boy sent the images, Hycz continued to demand more material, escalating his blackmail scheme. When the victim attempted to block the fake account, Hycz responded by creating a new account, threatening to share the images with everyone if the boy did not unblock the original account. This coercive tactic was part of a calculated effort to manipulate and control the young victim.

The victim eventually confided in a friend, and later disclosed the ordeal to his brother, which prompted the boy to contact the police. Following Hycz’s arrest on June 4 of the previous year, law enforcement officers discovered a significant collection of indecent images of children on his phone and laptop. These images included photographs of male children aged between three and 14, with nearly 40 classified as the most serious category of indecency. The police investigation also revealed that Hycz was involved in conversations that discussed the sexual abuse of children and had been actively searching for information about high schools in North Wales, indicating a potential intent to target more victims.

During the court proceedings, a victim impact statement was read aloud by prosecutor Ffion Tomos. The statement detailed the profound emotional and psychological toll the abuse had taken on the young boy. He expressed feelings of fear, shame, and isolation, revealing that he no longer found joy in activities he once loved. The boy also shared concerns about being mocked or abandoned by friends if his ordeal became known, and described how the experience had disrupted his sleep, increased his stress levels, and negatively affected his school performance.

Judge Niclas Parry, presiding over the case via video link, condemned Hycz’s actions as carefully planned and predatory. The judge acknowledged Hycz’s admitted sexual attraction to children and his deliberate manipulation of the victim. Hycz was found guilty of four counts, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, blackmail, and making indecent images of children. As a result, he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Additionally, Hycz was placed under a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and ordered to register as a sex offender for the same duration. The judge emphasized the high risk of reoffending and indicated that Hycz would serve half of his sentence in custody, with the remaining half on license, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision.