IAN HAWES FROM HOYLAKE BANNED AFTER RUNNING CHILDREN'S DISCO DESPITE SEX OFFENDER STATUS

In a concerning incident that has raised serious questions about safeguarding and the oversight of convicted sex offenders, Ian Hawes, a 63-year-old resident of Market Street, Hoylake, was found to be involved in activities that put children at risk. Hawes, who had previously been convicted of indecently assaulting a boy under the age of 14 during his time working as a gardener in Hoylake in 2002, was caught helping to run a children’s disco, an event that should have been under strict scrutiny given his criminal background.

Hawes’s history with sexual offences dates back to his earlier conviction, which led to his being placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Despite this, he continued to run discos since 1973, a longstanding involvement in organizing events for children. Following his conviction, he had agreed to transfer responsibility for children’s events to his partners, ostensibly to prevent any further risk or suspicion. However, after coming off the Sex Offenders Register in 2007, Hawes was advised by a female detective sergeant from the Wirral Sex Offenders Unit, based at Wallasey, to avoid contact with children for his own safety and to adhere strictly to the conditions of his release.

Despite these warnings, concerns arose when a detective attending a children’s event at St Catherine’s parish hall in Hoylake in April 2008 observed Hawes in a suspicious manner. The officer described seeing Hawes standing in front of the disco equipment, with his arms around two young boys, approximately five years old, who appeared to be dancing. The officer noted that Hawes was crouched down next to the children, which raised alarm bells given his past convictions.

Following this observation, Hawes was questioned and explained that he had attended the event to help out after a misunderstanding suggested it was for adults with learning difficulties. He claimed that his physical contact with the children was merely to encourage them to return to the dance floor after a dancing competition, and he also mentioned that he had handed out sweets at one point. During cross-examination, Hawes controversially stated that, despite being convicted by a jury of indecent assault, he did not see himself as a sex offender and argued that his conviction did not prove guilt.

In response to these incidents, Wirral magistrates’ court imposed a sexual offences prevention order on Hawes. District Judge Nick Sanders emphasized that while he did not believe Hawes’s interactions with the children were overtly sexual, the fact that Hawes had ignored explicit advice not to be involved with children was concerning. The order explicitly prohibits Hawes from contacting or communicating with any children under the age of 15, and from attending or working at any entertainment events aimed at children under 15. This measure aims to protect vulnerable minors from potential harm and to prevent any recurrence of inappropriate conduct by Hawes in the future.