RUSSELL HAYES FROM BUXTON AND WHISTON FACES COURT OVER SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION FAILURE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES

In May 2013, a serious legal issue arose involving Russell Hayes, a convicted sex offender with ties to the towns of Buxton and Whiston. Hayes was brought before High Peak Magistrates’ Court after failing to adhere to the strict conditions of his sex offenders registration requirements. The court heard that Hayes, aged 43, had neglected to re-register with the police between April 3 and April 25 of that year, a breach of the legal obligations imposed upon him following his previous conviction.

Hayes’s criminal history includes a conviction from 2011 for making indecent photographs of children, a serious offense that led to his placement on the sex offenders register for a period of five years. As part of the conditions of his registration, Hayes was required to visit a local police station annually to update his details. Although he had moved to Buxton in March of the previous year and remembered to re-register at that time, he claimed he was unaware that a full year had elapsed since his last registration, which led to his failure to comply this year.

During the court proceedings, Hayes admitted to the breach of his registration duties. The magistrates responded by imposing a financial penalty of £400, along with additional court costs amounting to £85 and a victim surcharge of £40. These penalties reflect the seriousness with which the legal system treats breaches of sex offender registration laws, which are designed to monitor and prevent further offending.

In a related but separate case from November 2011, Hayes faced charges for possessing indecent images of children. At that time, he was 42 years old and resided on Black Lane in Whiston. The case was heard at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, where it was revealed that police had discovered the images on Hayes’s computer following an incident involving a child wandering into his home. Prosecutor Heather Chamberlin detailed that the images depicted young boys in indecent situations, a grave offense.

Hayes pleaded guilty to five charges of making indecent images of children. His defense attorney, Anis Ali, argued that Hayes suffered from low self-esteem, which may have contributed to his offending behavior. Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Hayes to a three-year community order, which included three years of supervision and mandatory participation in a community sex offender group work program. Additionally, Hayes was ordered to remain on the sex offenders register for five years and was prohibited from engaging in activities involving children, reflecting the court’s focus on both punishment and rehabilitation.