Ben Haymes

Ben Haymes, a 34-year-old man previously residing in Bodmin and Bude, Cornwall, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court on 20 September 2024 following his guilty pleas to multiple serious sexual offences against children and involving animals.

The investigation began in July 2019 when Devon and Cornwall Police executed a search warrant at an address in Bude after receiving information that an indecent image of a child had been uploaded to the internet from that location. A digital examination of devices seized during the search revealed a folder linked to Haymes containing numerous indecent images of children across all three categories (A, B, and C). One particularly disturbing video clip showed Haymes touching the groin area of a child over clothing, which he sent to another male accompanied by messages explicitly stating his sexual intentions towards the child.

• Haymes pleaded guilty to assaulting a boy under 13 by touching.
• He faced seven charges of making indecent images of children.
• Two counts of possessing extreme pornography, including material depicting sex acts with his own dog.
• One count of voyeurism, related to secret recordings of boys using a toilet.
• Two counts of possessing prohibited images of a child.
• Two counts of showing an indecent photograph.

Further analysis of Haymes' devices uncovered hundreds of additional indecent images, some featuring another child known to him, with accompanying messages outlining his intentions. Data extraction also revealed conversations in which Haymes expressed his sexual preferences for young children and animals, underscoring the depth of his depravity.

Upon sentencing, Haymes received four years and four months' imprisonment, followed by four years on extended licence. He was also subjected to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order to protect the public from further harm. Detective Constable Charlotte Norris of Devon and Cornwall Police, who led the investigation, stated: “I welcome the sentence issued to Ben Haymes after a lengthy complex investigation. Ben Haymes is a dangerous sex offender who was in possession of horrendous child abuse images of young children and spoke freely about his desires. I hope this case sends out a strong message to those committing child sex offences and viewing child abuse material that we will find them and bring them to justice.” The case highlights the vigilance of Devon and Cornwall Police in tackling child sexual exploitation within the community.