DAVID HAYES FROM LLANRWST: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED CHILD SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED IN NORTH WALES

In a significant development in the fight against child exploitation, David Daniel Hayes, a 40-year-old man from Llanrwst in Conwy county, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 23 years for his heinous crimes. Hayes, who was once described as one of Europe’s most wanted criminals, was convicted of a series of grave offenses involving the sexual abuse of very young children.

Hayes’s criminal activities came to light after a lengthy investigation and court proceedings that revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over three years. The charges against him included child rape, sexual assault against children aged 10 or under, and inciting minors to engage in sexual acts. The severity of his crimes and the vulnerability of his victims underscored the gravity of his sentencing.

Originally, Hayes was scheduled to enter a plea at Mold Crown Court in December 2015. However, he fled the United Kingdom shortly before his court appearance, evading justice by traveling abroad. His flight led him to Spain, where he assumed a false identity and worked as an English teacher in Granada. His presence in Spain was only uncovered after a joint effort by law enforcement agencies, culminating in his arrest last July by Spanish police.

Hayes’s escape to Spain delayed the legal process considerably. He was extradited back to the UK to face the charges he had initially evaded. During the trial, which took less than three hours for the jury to reach a verdict, Hayes’s guilt was unequivocally established. The jury, composed of four men and eight women, found him guilty on all 12 charges, although one count was later dismissed due to duplication on the indictment.

Throughout the proceedings, emotional scenes unfolded in the courtroom. As the verdicts were read, sobs were heard from the public gallery, and one individual mouthed a heartfelt “thank you” to the jury. Hayes, standing with his hands on his head and shaking his head, showed no remorse as the guilty verdicts were announced. Judge Rhys Rowlands acknowledged the impact of Hayes’s flight on the trial, noting that it had caused delays, but emphasized that Hayes’s actions were attempts to avoid responsibility for his revolting crimes.

In his remarks, Judge Rowlands condemned Hayes’s conduct, stating, “He was trying to avoid responsibility for these frankly revolting acts. It’s ridiculous he can delay proceedings and I can only give him 12 months for it.” The judge further highlighted the compelling evidence against Hayes, describing his offenses as against “very young and very vulnerable children,” and warned that Hayes would face a very lengthy custodial sentence in due course.

Following his arrest in Spain, Hayes was extradited to the UK, where North Wales Police and Europol had issued multiple appeals for sightings of him, including a feature on Crimewatch. His status as one of Europe’s most wanted criminals underscored the seriousness of his crimes and the efforts made to bring him to justice.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 26 to allow for the preparation of probation reports and victim impact statements, which will further inform the court’s final decision. Hayes’s case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and international cooperation in combating child abuse and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.