ADAM HAYES FROM WALLASEY JAILED FOR GROOMING EVEESHAM TEENAGER

In a case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and the exploitation of vulnerable minors, Adam Hayes, a 22-year-old man from Wallasey, Merseyside, was sentenced to a total of two years in prison for his involvement in coercing a teenage girl from Evesham into sending him explicit images. The sentencing took place at Worcester Crown Court, where Hayes faced multiple serious charges related to his predatory behavior.

Hayes was convicted on three counts: two for causing or inciting a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity, and one for making an indecent photograph of a child. The court heard that Hayes initially made contact with the 13-year-old girl through BlackBerry Messenger last year. Although she initially refused to engage with him, Hayes resorted to threats and intimidation to force her into responding. He falsely claimed to be a police officer, asserting that he could trace her and cause her harm if she did not comply with his demands.

Over the course of September and October, the girl was coerced into sending multiple images and videos of herself. The distress caused by Hayes’s threatening tactics eventually led her to confide in a friend and her mother, prompting her family to contact West Mercia Police. Detectives quickly identified Hayes through his BlackBerry device and traced him to his residence in Merseyside, where he was subsequently arrested.

During the investigation, authorities recovered 26 images and videos from Hayes’s phone. Hayes admitted to initiating contact but claimed he believed the girl was 15 years old, not 13, which he argued was a mitigating factor. He appeared in court to enter a plea and pleaded guilty to all three charges. The court sentenced him to two years for each of the sexual activity counts, with the sentences to run concurrently, and an additional four months for possessing indecent images of children.

Furthermore, Hayes was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for five years, which prohibits him from contacting his victim or any female under 16 without supervision. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of 10 years. Detective Inspector Andy Price of South Worcestershire CID emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “This is a classic example of an adult offender persuading and intimidating a young girl into sending him indecent images. The judge took into account the impact Hayes’s activity had on a young vulnerable victim who was particularly distressed by the threatening behaviour used to obtain the images.”

DI Price also praised the bravery of the girl, noting, “I want to praise the girl for having the courage to raise the alarm and contact the police; because of her we have been able to prosecute Hayes and protect her and other potential victims. However, by the time she came forward, the damage was already done.” He concluded with advice to young people, urging them to seek help if they are contacted by someone online who makes them uncomfortable, and to speak to a trusted adult or contact police on 101 if needed.