Abuse by headteacher ruined my life — victim (From This Is Lancashire)

Abuse by headteacher ruined my life — victim

6:40am Monday 16th November 2009

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THE victim of a paedophile primary headteacher, jailed for five-and-a-half years, said her pain would “never go away”.

Dean Philip Hayes, aged 59, was formerly a teacher at Brandwood Junior School and later deputy headteacher at Bishop Bridgeman Primary School, Bolton, before becoming headteacher at Brindle St James’ CE Primary, in Chorley, between 1987 and 1995.

He pleaded guilty to five specimen counts of indecent assault on children and three counts of indecency with a child.

These offences on two young girls were committed between January, 1991 and December, 1996. Hayes had also pleased guilty to possessing 25 indecent images of children.

A moving statement was read out in court on Friday from one of his victims: “I feel I’m emotionally damaged, have had problems with intimacy and have suffered from depression.

“The pain he has caused me can never go away. It will not stop just because he goes to prison.

“Since growing up I have had problems with my body image.

“I just wanted to hide away and not to be noticed by anyone.

“I’m frustrated that for so long I did not make the link between my depression and his actions. My self-esteem has suffered enormously.”

Prosecutor Francis McEntee said the abuse was ‘sustained, over a period of years’.

Preston Crown Court Judge Robert Brown said the victim’s statement highlighted the prolonged effect of the abuse.

Defending Hayes, who now lives in Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Mr Michael Maher described him as a ‘broken man’ who had been ‘ostracised’ since his arrest in September, 2008.

He said: “He has lost the love and respect of family, friends and work colleagues in the period since.

“He is ashamed of these actions which understandably cause public revulsion, but he never sought a trial and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity afforded to him.

“He is determined to actively confront his behaviour.”

Hayes, who had no previous convictions, was jailed for five years for the indecent assaults and indecency with children offences and a further six months for the possession of indecent images of children.

Police said an investigation was launched when a woman came forward last year and made allegations. Subsequently another woman made similar claims.

Detective Inspector Jonathan Holmes said: “We are pleased with the outcome following what has been a very challenging investigation.

“The victims have shown tremendous courage in coming forward and I hope his sentence will offer some closure for them.”

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