ROBERT HAYES-DANSON'S CRIMES IN DANSON AND PRESTON: VICTIMS' STRUGGLES AND JUSTICE SERVED

In October 2015, the judicial system reaffirmed its stance on the heinous crimes committed by Robert Hayes-Danson, a man whose actions have left deep scars on his victims and the community of Danson and Preston. The top judges in London’s Appeal Court made it clear that Hayes-Danson, aged 48 and residing on Birch Avenue in Newton-with-Scales near Preston, deserved every day of his 10-year prison sentence for his disturbing offenses.

Hayes-Danson was convicted at Preston Crown Court on October 3 of the previous year, after a jury found him guilty of nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. All eleven charges involved the same young girl, who was between the ages of 12 and 15 at the time of the abuse. Mr. Justice Cooke, presiding over the case, emphasized to London’s Appeal Court that the crimes were committed against a vulnerable minor and involved exploitation, which warranted the harsh sentence.

The victim, now in her 30s, recounted her painful journey of realization and the betrayal she experienced. She believed she was involved in a consensual affair with Hayes-Danson, unaware of the manipulative and abusive nature of his actions. It was only in 2012 that her ordeal was uncovered, and her suffering was brought to light in court. Despite her trauma, Hayes-Danson’s community rallied behind him, even organizing a hotpot supper to raise funds for his legal defense, a move that added to her distress.

Meanwhile, the victim faced a barrage of hate mail and online abuse, with messages threatening her reputation and suggesting her family would be ostracized for generations. She publicly shared her anguish, stating, “I have had my reputation shattered by his family and friends. I have been disbelieved, called a liar, and a witch.” Her words underscored the profound impact of the case not only on her but also on her loved ones.

Hayes-Danson’s legal representatives argued that his sentence was excessively severe, citing his otherwise unblemished character and the potential hardship his imprisonment could impose on his family and business. However, Mr. Justice Cooke dismissed these arguments, asserting that Hayes-Danson’s punishment was “carefully considered” and “beyond criticism.” He reaffirmed that the evidence clearly demonstrated Hayes-Danson’s exploitation of a minor, and the appeal was consequently rejected, maintaining the original sentence.

Prior to these events, in November 2014, the same man was linked to a campaign of hatred directed at his victim and her family. Kirsty Clark, who was only 12 when Hayes-Danson groomed her, chose to waive her right to anonymity to expose the ongoing harassment her family endured since his conviction. Clark, a mother of two, revealed that her family had been subjected to online abuse, hate mail, and public shaming. Supporters of Hayes-Danson had organized community events, including a fundraising hotpot supper and a 23-mile vehicle rally, which passed her home, further traumatizing her.

Clark described how her so-called friends had turned against her, refusing to believe her account of abuse. She recounted the pain of being shunned in her community and the cruel comments posted online, such as “Rot in hell” and “scum of the village.” On the day Hayes-Danson was sentenced, Judge Jacqueline Beech condemned the villagers who had written “utterly inappropriate” letters to the court and victim, criticizing the verdict.

In her emotional testimony, Kirsty explained her long silence, driven by fear and disbelief. She recounted how her discovery of her abuser’s true nature was triggered by a storyline on the soap opera Eastenders, where a young girl was exploited by her mother’s boyfriend. This realization led her to report Hayes-Danson to the authorities, culminating in his conviction.

Her mother, Barbara, expressed pride in her son and supported the community event organized in his name, despite the controversy. The event’s organizer, David Martin, claimed it was held at the behest of Hayes-Danson’s family, though details about its purpose remained undisclosed until the day of the event. Detective Steve Hooper, the lead investigator, expressed disappointment that some community members still disbelieved the victim and that the event appeared misleading and distressing for her and her family.

Adding to the timeline of his criminal activities, in August 2014, Hayes-Danson was linked to a case of prolonged abuse of a schoolgirl, which was only uncovered two decades later. The victim, now in her thirties, recognized her abuser after watching a storyline on Eastenders depicting a similar exploitation scenario involving a young girl and her mother’s boyfriend. Her case involved grooming over three years, during which Hayes-Danson took her to local shops, bought her perfume, and invited her to his home in Preston. The girl believed she was having an affair with him, unaware of the grooming and manipulation.

She recounted how her first attempt to resist his advances was nearly thwarted when his wife almost interrupted them. She also described how she blamed herself for his breakdown in 1993, thinking she had caused his mental health issues and fearing exposure. Her trauma was compounded by her feelings of guilt and fear of discovery.

Her realization of the abuse came after watching the Eastenders storyline, which mirrored her own experiences. She contacted the police, and Hayes-Danson was brought to justice, convicted of nine counts of sexual assault and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. Judge Jacqueline Beech condemned his actions, stating, “You have effectively stolen her childhood and you should be ashamed of yourself.” Hayes-Danson was scheduled for a lengthy prison sentence, with sentencing set for the following month. The victim’s spokesperson expressed relief at the outcome, emphasizing the importance of justice for her and other victims of such heinous crimes.