MALVERN DENTIST RICHARD HAYES-ALL CAUGHT IN BIRMINGHAM POLICE STING OVER UNDERAGE MEETUP

In April 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Richard Hayes-Hall, a 61-year-old dentist from Malvern, Worcestershire, who was caught attempting to meet a minor for sexual activity. The incident unfolded during a police operation in Birmingham, specifically at Lickey Hills, where Hayes-Hall had arranged to meet what he believed was a 14-year-old boy. In reality, the individual he was communicating with was an undercover police officer.

Hayes-Hall’s vehicle was found to contain an array of sex toys, condoms, ropes, and padlocks, indicating his intent to engage in sexual acts. The police had set up the sting after Hayes-Hall had been in contact with the supposed underage boy for several weeks. During their exchanges, Hayes-Hall expressed a desire to 'teach' the boy a thing or two, and in a message, he wrote, 'Very nice – only 14. I would be happy to teach you a thing or two XXXX.'

When the police arrested him on March 14, Hayes-Hall was taken into custody. The court proceedings revealed that he had been grooming the minor, with evidence showing he had been in constant contact with the boy from January to March, preparing to meet and even equipping himself for the encounter. The court heard that Hayes-Hall, a father of two and a qualified dentist, had previously been a man of good character with no prior convictions.

During the trial, Judge Robert Juckes QC expressed his strong disapproval of Hayes-Hall’s actions, emphasizing the public’s justified outrage. He stated, 'I have to bear in mind the disgust most members of the public feel about the kind of behaviour you indulged in in this particular case.' The judge highlighted that Hayes-Hall had been actively grooming the minor, preparing to meet him, and had taken steps to facilitate the encounter, which was met with widespread condemnation.

Prosecutor Michael Conry detailed the interactions, noting that the 'boy' had expressed nervousness, to which Hayes-Hall responded with suggestive comments and graphic descriptions of sexual activity. Hayes-Hall also reassured the 'boy' that he would not be hurt and that he wouldn’t catch anything, indicating a disturbing level of premeditation and intent.

In police interviews, Hayes-Hall admitted to being bisexual and revealed that he used digital platforms such as Grindr and Kik Messenger to meet men aged 16 to 25. He also mentioned that he had considered meeting the 'boy' during half-term but had decided against it, fearing he would be doing something wrong.

Hayes-Hall’s background was noted as previously unblemished, and he had no prior criminal record. However, he pleaded guilty to a single count of attempting to meet a boy under 16 following grooming activities. The court sentenced him to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, at Worcester Crown Court.

As part of his sentence, Hayes-Hall was classified as a 'medium risk' and ordered to participate in a sex offender’s rehabilitation program called Horizon for two years. He is also required to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities, register as a sex offender for ten years, and adhere to a sexual harm prevention order for the same period. The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing measures to prevent future offenses.