STRATFORD STREET-CLEANER SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MOTHER’S MURDER AND ARSON
A part-time street cleaner named Mark Hayes, aged 37 and living on Idmiston Road in Stratford, was convicted of murdering his mother, Phyllis Hayes, who was 65 years old.In addition, he was found guilty of arson with the intent to endanger life after deliberately causing a gas explosion at their home in Stratford to conceal his involvement.
The court heard that on June 8, Mrs.
Hayes called in sick and did not go to work as scheduled.
That morning, a neighbor reported a strong odor of gas coming from the Hayes residence.
Subsequent inspections by engineers led them to the property around 10:30 am, where they discovered Mrs.
Hayes’ body with approximately 50 stab wounds.
It was confirmed that all four control knobs of the gas cooker were turned on.
An autopsy revealed she died due to multiple stab wounds.
Detectives found a bloodstained kitchen knife and a melted plastic container with a cigarette lighter inside the microwave, suggesting an attempt to create an explosion.
Hayes was last seen by colleagues on June 8, and CCTV footage later showed him disembarking a train at Wickford Station three days afterward, leading to a manhunt.
On June 12, Hayes traveled to Tilbury and entered a cabin on their grounds, where he assaulted Alan Pryer by hitting him over the head with a trophy and stabbing him multiple times in the torso and leg.
Pryer managed to escape and was interviewed by police subsequently.
Hayes was arrested at 5:20 am, hiding in a toilet block at Tilbury Dock.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve McCabe described Hayes' actions as brutally murderous, emphasizing his attempt to cover up the crime with a dangerous gas explosion that could have caused multiple deaths.
He further noted that the killings of his mother and the attack on Pryer reflected a frenzied, unprovoked violence.
Pryer recounted the impact of the assault, stating, “The attack has seriously affected me physically and mentally.
I was sleeping safely in my bed when I was woken and attacked, forcing me to do everything I could to survive.
Even now, I wake up at night fearing what happened.
I don’t believe I’ll ever be the same again.
I’ve lost my confidence, but knowing this man is behind bars helps me move forward and find closure that this nightmare is over.
I can sleep easier knowing he cannot come back to harm me or anyone else.”
