GREGORY HAYES SCOT MASTER FROM HOTHFIELD JAILED FOR CHILD RAPE IN KENT

In May 2018, Gregory Hayes, a scout master from Hothfield, was sentenced to five years in prison after admitting to the sexual assault of a young girl during his teenage years. The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court, where the court was moved by the victim’s remarkable display of forgiveness and compassion.

Hayes, aged 33 and residing on Ram Lane in Hothfield, broke down in tears as he listened to the impact statement read by his victim. The woman, who was a child at the time of the assaults, chose to write a heartfelt letter to the court, expressing her forgiveness and asking for mercy for Hayes. Her words were described by Judge James O’Mahony as “moving and gracious,” and they played a significant role in the sentencing decision.

The court was informed that Hayes had confessed to two separate attacks committed when he was a teenager. During the proceedings, the defendant, who now weighs approximately 30 stone, appeared visibly emotional, and his reactions underscored the gravity of the case. His defense lawyer, John Fitzgerald, emphasized that Hayes had shown genuine remorse for his actions.

When questioned by authorities about the allegations, Hayes reportedly told officers that he must have committed the offenses because his victim, a Christian girl, “wouldn’t lie.” This statement was part of the evidence considered by the court, which also noted that the victim had made her complaint in 2015. However, there was a significant delay in bringing the case to court, which Judge O’Mahony acknowledged was “inexplicable and unacceptable,” though not attributable to Hayes.

In delivering his sentence, Judge O’Mahony highlighted the seriousness of the crime, which involved the rape of a child under 13 years old. Despite the gravity of the offense, the judge recognized the victim’s kindness and strength in writing her letter, which contributed to the court’s decision to show leniency. The judge also commended the victim for her courage and the positive impact her letter had on the proceedings.

As Hayes was led away to serve his sentence, the courtroom was left reflecting on the complex emotions involved in this case—ranging from the horror of the crimes committed to the compassion shown by the victim. The case underscores the importance of justice and the power of forgiveness in the face of profound trauma.