DEAN PHILIP HAYES SENTENCED IN MILFORD HAVEN FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE CASE

Dean Philip Hayes, a 59-year-old man with a background as a former head teacher and sports historian, has been handed a significant prison sentence of five and a half years following his conviction for sexually abusing two young girls. The heinous acts occurred during the 1990s, a period when the victims were only six and eight years old, respectively. Hayes, who previously served as the head at Brindle St James CE Primary School in Chorley, was found to have committed multiple acts of sexual misconduct against these minors.

Investigations revealed that Hayes engaged in inappropriate physical contact with the girls, including groping them and convincing one of the victims to touch his genitals. These disturbing acts were uncovered after police arrested Hayes in September 2008. During the search of his residence, authorities discovered a collection of indecent images of children stored on his computer, further implicating him in child exploitation.

Initially, Hayes denied any involvement in the allegations, asserting that one of the victims had fabricated her story and that the other had simply misunderstood his friendly demeanor. However, as the case progressed, he eventually admitted to five counts of indecent assault, three counts of indecency with a child, and possession of indecent images. The court heard victim impact statements that painted a grim picture of the lasting trauma inflicted upon the girls. One victim described how her dreams had been shattered, and both victims reported suffering from prolonged depression and health issues as a result of Hayes’s actions.

The presiding judge emphasized the severity and enduring impact of Hayes’s crimes, noting that the offences had a serious and lasting effect on the victims’ lives. Despite having no prior criminal convictions, Hayes was disqualified from working with children and was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct. The case underscores the importance of safeguarding children and the devastating consequences of abuse by trusted individuals in positions of authority.