David Daniel Hayes

David Daniel Hayes, a 40-year-old man from Llanrwst in Conwy county, Wales, was sentenced to 23 years in prison at Mold Crown Court for committing a series of child sex offences against two young children. Hayes, described by the judge as 'a pretty inadequate individual with a distorted view of life', carried out acts of the 'most appalling depravity', including seven counts of rape, two assaults by penetration, and three charges of causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences came to light prior to 2015, leading to Hayes' initial court appearance on child sex offence charges. However, shortly after, in May 2015, he boarded a flight from Liverpool to Amsterdam and disappeared, evading justice for three years. During his time on the run, Hayes used a fake name to work as a private English teacher in Granada, southern Spain. North Wales Police issued multiple appeals for information, and Hayes featured on BBC's Crimewatch programme as well as a list of Europe's most wanted fugitives.

Spanish authorities, specifically the Guardia Civil, arrested Hayes in July 2018 after suspicions were raised about his identity while he was settled in the Granada area. The arrest was filmed by officers, capturing the moment he was apprehended. Following his extradition to the UK, Hayes was found guilty last month on the rape and sexual activity charges. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to surrender to bail at Mold Crown Court in February.

• Hayes vanished after his initial court appearance in 2015.
• Worked under a false identity in Spain as an English teacher.
• Arrested in Granada in July 2018.
• Convicted of 12 child sex offences.

Judge Rhys Rowlands warned that Hayes would not automatically receive parole after serving half his sentence, stating it would be up to the parole board to assess the ongoing risk he posed, and it was possible he might serve the full term. In a victim impact statement, one of the victims referred to Hayes as an 'evil monster'. After the hearing, Iwan Jenkins from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) commented: 'Whilst the convictions cannot change what happened we hope they will help the children in moving on with their lives.' Detective Sergeant Katie Ellis of North Wales Police's protecting vulnerable persons unit added: 'Hayes committed abhorrent abuse against these children and took away their childhoods.'

The case was prosecuted by North Wales Police, highlighting their efforts in pursuing fugitives abroad. An NSPCC Cymru spokesman praised the victims, saying they must be 'commended for their bravery at speaking out and helping to put Hayes behind bars where he cannot hurt others'.