OMAR HAYES SHOCKS ST ANNES AND BLACKPOOL WITH SKIRT-FILMING CRIME AT MCDONALD'S

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the communities of St Annes and Blackpool, Omar Hayes, aged 35, was convicted and sentenced for a series of indecent acts involving young schoolgirls at a local McDonald's restaurant. The events unfolded on April 5, when Hayes was caught on CCTV secretly filming up the skirts of four girls, all approximately 13 years old, as they queued in front of him at the Bank Hey Street branch in Blackpool.

According to court reports, a vigilant customer at the McDonald's noticed Hayes's suspicious behavior and promptly alerted the police. The restaurant’s security footage captured Hayes using his mobile phone in a manner that suggested he was filming beneath the skirts of the young girls. This footage was instrumental in identifying Hayes, who was subsequently traced through social media channels. The police’s investigation revealed that Hayes was a resident of St Andrews Gate in St Annes, and he was quickly located and detained.

During the police interview, Hayes claimed he had no understanding of why he had engaged in such behavior, asserting that he did not possess any sexual attraction towards the girls. Despite his claims, the evidence against him was compelling. The CCTV still images and social media traces confirmed his involvement in the indecent act. Furthermore, a search of his home uncovered 85 wraps of cannabis on the kitchen worktop, indicating his involvement in drug possession and distribution.

Prosecutor Martine Connah detailed the incident, emphasizing that a fellow customer had witnessed Hayes’s actions and reported him to authorities. The police’s subsequent investigation led to Hayes’s arrest and the discovery of the illicit substances. Hayes’s defense lawyer, Hugh Pond, acknowledged his client’s honesty in admitting to attempting to film under the girls’ skirts, though Hayes expressed remorse and was unable to explain his motives.

In court, Judge Simon Newell sentenced Hayes to nine months in prison for outraging public decency. The judge also imposed a five-year sexual harm prevention order, which restricts Hayes’s contact with minors and aims to prevent any future offenses. The judge remarked on the increasing prevalence of such offenses and expressed concern over the disturbing nature of Hayes’s actions, noting that the incident had also disturbed a young couple present at the scene.

Hayes’s partner, who recognized him from a Facebook appeal, was visibly distressed and sobbed in the courtroom gallery as the sentence was delivered. The case has sparked widespread concern about the safety of children in public spaces and the importance of vigilant community policing. Hayes’s actions have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community, prompting calls for increased awareness and preventative measures against such predatory behavior.