SCOTT HAYES FROM WARMINSTER AND PLYMOUTH SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the communities of Plymouth and Warminster, Scott Hayes, a 38-year-old serviceman, was sentenced to a decade behind bars following a series of serious sexual offences. The conviction was handed down at Plymouth Crown Court after a jury found Hayes guilty of multiple charges, including three counts of sexual assault, attempted rape, and rape. Notably, the jury acquitted him of the charge related to taking indecent photographs of children. All these offences are alleged to have occurred within a one-year period, from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2008.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Hayes had served in the British Army and had been deployed on four separate tours to Kosovo and Iraq, highlighting his military background and experience. Despite his previous military service, Hayes had maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges. His address was listed as Signals Platoon, the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, Wiltshire, which is a key detail in understanding his military ties and location during the time of the alleged offences.

Hayes' defence lawyer, Ali Rafati, spoke passionately about his client’s reputation, emphasizing Hayes’ service record. Rafati stated, “The court has heard how he has been spoken of highly as a soldier taking part in tours all around the world. He has demonstrated the quality of leadership that the Army so dearly holds. That is the end of his career, and his pension that he has been accruing since 1991 will now be forfeited. He has lost his career, his pension, and the prospect of rebuilding his relationships. This will now destroy the defendant’s life from his conduct here.”

However, the presiding judge, Mr. Recorder Andrew Oldland QC, delivered a stern verdict. He detailed the gravity of Hayes’ actions, stating, “You have been convicted by this jury on five counts of sustained sexual abuse over a two-week period. You exploited her teenage dream of becoming a model, grooming her and taking photographs. You attempted to rape her, and on the final night, you succeeded. At that time, her lack of consent was clear; she repeatedly said no. This was a calculated, planned series of acts that lasted over two weeks, during which you prevented her from speaking out.”

Recorder Oldland acknowledged Hayes’ military service but emphasized that it did not mitigate the severity of his crimes. He concluded by sentencing Hayes to ten years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender, underscoring the seriousness of the offences and the need for public protection.

In a related case from November 2012, Hayes, then aged 37, faced charges of raping a girl under 16. The allegations covered the same time frame, from January 1, 2007, to January 1, 2008. Hayes had pleaded not guilty to these charges as well, and a case management hearing was scheduled for November 14 at Plymouth Crown Court. His address at that time was also listed as Signals Platoon, the Land Warfare Centre in Warminster, Wiltshire. He was released on unconditional bail pending trial, which was set to commence on May 13, 2013. The case remains a stark reminder of the serious allegations against Hayes and the ongoing judicial process to seek justice for the victims involved.