Gymnastics coach in Trafford sentenced to 18 years following non-recent abuse against children

ITV News

a day ago

A respected gymnastics coach a renowned Greater Manchester school will spend the rest of his life in jail after being found guilty of child sexual abuse.
76-year-old Michael Haynes was found guilty of 20 offences including rape and sexual assault of two of his former Trafford School of Gymnastics students.
Manchester Crown Court heard on Thursday 29 May, he had carried out a 'campaign of rape' against one girl after grooming her when she first started at the school.
The offences took place at the gym, his car and in his own home, it was said.
Haynes, of Trafford, would 'degrade and humiliate' the girl in a number of ways, including touching her face after sexually assaulting her to 'show his ownership of her', a judge said.
He was jailed for 18 years.
During the trial, which concluded last week, the court heard how in the late 80s, one of the victims, who was 11 at the time, joined Trafford School of Gymnastics.
It was at the club that Haynes first sexually assaulted the victim by inappropriately touching her through her clothing while appearing to help her with stretching exercises.
This progressed over time from sexual touching to rape with offences occurring in his vehicle whilst he was assisting the victim's family to transport her to and from the gymnastics club.
In December 2023, another woman learned that Haynes was to stand trial for sexual offences and came forward to police.
Part of the victims' impact statements were read out in court.
One of the victims said: 'I joined your gym, at the age of 10/11 years old, a young kind-hearted child with the hopes and dreams of being a British Gymnast. When the abuse started shortly after, I felt lost and scared, and I have carried the weight and worry through life ever since.
'Through the power of social media and relevant documentaries, I have been comforted and inspired by the stories of other victims and their coping mechanisms. I have identified with their thoughts and struggles whilst learning to process what happened.
"This understanding, acceptance and sense of solidarity have eventually allowed me to take this step forward and report the abuse I suffered all those years ago.'
Detective Inspector Rick Lees, of Trafford's CID, said: "Following our investigation, we believe there may be further victims who Haynes taught gymnastics from the same time period of the late 1980s to early 1990s, who may have previously felt unable to come forward.
'We would like to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who has been a victim of any form of sexual abuse, whether it be recent or non-recent to please get in touch with us, no matter how long ago it was, we will listen to you, and we can help."