MICHAEL HYNES FROM NORWICH AND SALHOUSE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Norwich and Salhouse, Michael Hynes, a solicitor with a distinguished academic background, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous sexual offenses involving a teenage girl. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned several years, beginning when the girl was just 11 years old and continuing until she reached 14.

Michael Hynes, aged 46, was convicted on multiple counts, including three counts of rape, seven counts of sexual activity with a minor, and one charge of sexual assault. The jury also found him guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a 43-year-old woman, adding to the gravity of his offenses. The trial took place at Norwich Crown Court, where the evidence painted a troubling picture of a man who exploited his position of trust and his own personal vulnerabilities.

The abuse was initially characterized by inappropriate touching but escalated over time into more serious acts, including rape. The court heard that Hynes led a lifestyle marred by drug use, often supplying the young girl with Class A drugs, which further complicated the case. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, bravely gave her testimony via video link from a mental health facility, revealing the depth of her trauma.

During her testimony, she explained her reluctance to come forward sooner, citing fears of disbelief and shame. She described her feelings of terror and helplessness during the abuse, recounting how Hynes would stare at her without speaking while assaulting her. She also described her emotional state, saying she would cry and plead for him to stop, but he would belittle her, telling her she was not clever or attractive, and calling her boring and horrible. Her account highlighted the psychological scars inflicted by Hynes, who also manipulated her into taking drugs to supposedly improve her personality.

The case only came to light after the girl was admitted to the Priory clinic suffering from depression. She stated clearly that she had never consented to the abuse and that her silence was driven by fear and a lack of trust in the justice system. The court was told that Hynes, who practiced law in both Norwich and London for reputable firms, had exploited his professional standing to carry out his crimes.

Judge Paul Downes, delivering the sentence, expressed his condemnation of Hynes, emphasizing the betrayal of trust involved in the case. He noted Hynes’s impressive educational background but condemned his actions as a gross abuse of that trust. Hynes was sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison, with the majority of the sentence—10 and a half years—covering the rape, sexual activity, and sexual assault charges, all to run concurrently. An additional six months was added for the assault on the woman, to be served consecutively.

While the judge acknowledged that drug use was not part of the charges, he stated that it would be disregarded in the sentencing process. The Crown Prosecution Service’s lawyer, Douglas Mackay, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “Hynes preyed on his victim, groomed her, and used her for his own sexual pleasure. We truly hope the victim can now begin to move on positively with her life and we are glad Hynes will no longer pose a danger to society.”

Throughout the trial, Hynes maintained his innocence, claiming that the allegations were fabricated by his victim. However, the jury’s verdict clearly reflected their belief in the evidence presented against him, leading to his conviction and subsequent imprisonment.