BEN HAYMES FROM CORNWALL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN BODMIN AND BUDE
A man aged 34, identified as Ben Haymes, has been handed a substantial prison sentence following his conviction on multiple serious charges related to child sexual offences.The sentencing took place at Truro Crown Court on Friday, 20 September, where Haymes was sentenced to four years and four months behind bars, with an additional four years on extended licence.
This extended licence period is designed to monitor and restrict his activities after his release, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Haymes, who previously resided in Bodmin and Bude, faced a series of charges that included assaulting a boy under the age of 13 by touching, as well as making indecent images of children.
The court also found him guilty of possessing extreme pornography, voyeurism, possessing prohibited images of children, and showing indecent photographs.
As part of the court’s measures to prevent further harm, Haymes was also subjected to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which imposes strict restrictions on his future conduct.
The case against Haymes was built on a detailed investigation that began in July 2019.
Police executed a search warrant at an address in Bude after receiving credible information that an indecent image of a child had been uploaded to the internet from that location.
During the digital forensic examination, authorities discovered a folder linked to Haymes that contained numerous indecent images of children.
Among these was a disturbing video in which Haymes was seen touching a child's groin area over clothing.
Further analysis revealed that this video had been shared with another male along with messages in which Haymes explicitly expressed his sexual intentions towards the child.
Investigators also uncovered hundreds of additional indecent images on Haymes’ devices, spanning all three categories of child abuse material.
Some of these images involved a child known to Haymes, with the offender again expressing his sexual interest in the child through messages.
The digital evidence also included extreme pornography depicting sexual acts involving Haymes’ own dog, highlighting the disturbing nature of his interests.
Moreover, data extraction from his devices revealed secret recordings of boys using a toilet, as well as conversations where Haymes openly discussed his sexual preferences for young children and animals.
Detective Constable Charlotte Norris, who was involved in the case, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I welcome the sentence issued to Ben Haymes after a lengthy complex investigation.
I praise the family of the victim for putting their faith in the police investigation and acting with dignity throughout.
Ben Haymes is a dangerous sex offender who was in possession of horrendous child abuse images of young children and spoke freely about his desires.
I hope this case sends out a strong message to those committing child sex offences and viewing child abuse material that we will find them and bring them to justice.”
