DAVID HAYES OF LLANRWST SENTENCED TO 23 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN BANGOR

A sex offender convicted of raping and abusing children has been sentenced to 23 years in prison. David Hayes, of Bridge Street in Llanrwst, was on the run for over two years before being captured in Spain, where he was working as an English teacher. Hayes, previously a press officer at Bangor City Football Club, denied 12 charges—including child rape, sexual assault of children aged 10 or under, and inciting children to engage in sexual acts. Despite his efforts to escape justice by fleeing abroad, a jury found him guilty in February.

The abuse took place over a three-year period, with Judge Rhys Rowlands stating that Hayes remains a "high risk to children." At Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, Hayes received three concurrent extended sentences of 15 years for two rapes and an oral rape. In addition, he was given an eight-year consecutive extended sentence for another serious sexual assault. An extended licence of two years was also imposed, meaning he will serve a total of 23 years in custody plus two years on licence.

The extended element of the sentence, awarded because of Hayes's danger to children, requires him to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. However, Judge Rowlands indicated it is likely Hayes will serve the full 23-year term before release, as normally parole eligibility occurs after serving half the sentence.

Judge Rowlands described Hayes as "a pretty inadequate individual with a distorted view of life," emphasizing that the offenses against two young children were of "the most appalling depravity." Hayes was once among Europol's most wanted individuals, and North Wales Police issued multiple appeals—including an appeal featured on Crimewatch—to locate him.

An NSPCC Cymru/Wales spokesperson commented: "Hayes tried to evade justice for the appalling crimes he committed against children, and the long jail term reflects the danger he poses. The victims showcased remarkable bravery in court by reliving their trauma and helping to bring Hayes to justice. While justice has finally caught up with him, it is vital that the survivors receive the support they need to rebuild their lives."