TERRY HAYNES FROM ABINGDON AND SWINDON SENTENCED FOR HISTORIC SEX OFFENCES

In December 2017, a disturbing case unfolded involving Terry Haynes, a man with a long history of sexual offenses spanning several decades. Haynes, aged 75 and formerly residing on Matthews Way in Wootton, was brought before Reading Crown Court where he received a six-year prison sentence following a comprehensive five-day trial. The court found him guilty of multiple heinous crimes, including one count of gross indecency with or towards a child and eight counts of indecent assault against a young boy. These offenses were committed against two boys in Tubney Woods, located near Frilford, during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior during that era.

Haynes, who was also known by the moniker Rev Haynes, had previously been convicted in 2014 of a much more severe set of crimes. At that time, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of 12 counts of rape, 11 counts of indecent assault, and one count of attempted rape at Oxford Crown Court. Among his victims was his own daughter, Teresa Haynes, who chose to waive her right to anonymity to speak openly about her experiences. Following his conviction, Teresa publicly stated to the Oxford Mail that she had forgiven her father, emphasizing her resilience and the profound impact of her ordeal. She remarked, “No amount of time in prison is going to change what he did,” underscoring her acceptance and strength.

In the recent sentencing, the six-year term will be served consecutively, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. Detective Sergeant Sarah Berry, who led the investigation, expressed her admiration for the victims’ bravery, stating, “The victims showed tremendous courage after 50 years to come forward and report these heinous crimes to the police. I hope that Haynes’ sentence will give the victims some resolution. I know that they have been hugely affected by these terrible crimes.”

Further back in April 2014, a woman who survived years of abuse by Haynes publicly forgave her father for the horrific acts committed against her. The victim, now 71, recounted her ordeal of being repeatedly raped by her father from the age of five. She revealed that the abuse took place in both Abingdon and Swindon over a decade, beginning in the early 1980s. During her four-day trial, the jury learned that Haynes was known to others as Rev Haynes, a detail that added to the shock of his criminal activities.

Haynes was also convicted of an attempted rape involving another woman, who for legal reasons cannot be named. Teresa Haynes, who now resides in Reading, chose to waive her right to anonymity and publicly shared her story, including her decision to forgive her father. She stated, “It’s affected me all of my life – I can’t forget what my dad has done, but I forgive him. If I didn’t forgive him I would hate him for the rest of my life and I will just become an angry person.”

Her emotional reaction to the verdict was palpable; she recounted bursting into tears in a clothing store after hearing the news. “I am shocked because everyone for years told me no-one would believe it,” she said. Despite the pain, she emphasized her ability to move forward, saying, “It was the worst thing ever. He is still my dad at the end of the day. I have no feelings for him. I still love my mum but I have no feelings towards my dad.”

Miss Haynes, who works in a primary school library, also shared the difficulties she faced from her family before the trial, noting that her decision to testify was met with hostility. “All I did was step up in court and tell the truth. I can move on now everything is out in the open,” she added. Haynes was cleared of five additional counts of rape and is scheduled for sentencing at the same court on April 11. Her story gained further attention in 2012 when she appeared in the Oxford Mail after James Summers, a former Salvation Army volunteer, was jailed for raping her and other young girls during the 1980s, highlighting a pattern of abuse by individuals in positions of trust.