Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Stephanie Wareham

Drayton Manor ‘appalled’ after ex-ride operator admits sexually assaulting 19 girls

Staffordshire Police Police Stafford Crown Court Birmingham Staffordshire
  • Josef Luke Hammond, a 24-year-old former ride operator at Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire, has admitted 19 counts of sexually assaulting girls under the age of 13 by touching.
  • The offences took place between March and August 2024 before Hammond was reported in August when a victim informed her parent, prompting staff to review CCTV footage and immediately remove him from the park.
  • Staffordshire Police arrested Hammond on the same day he was reported, with subsequent investigations revealing a total of 19 victims who were assaulted while he was working at the theme park.
  • Hammond, who is from Birmingham, appeared at Stafford Crown Court to plead guilty to all charges and has been bailed ahead of his sentencing on 11 December.
  • Drayton Manor expressed horror at the offences and offered unwavering support to the victims, while Staffordshire Police commended the victims' courage and urged any further potential victims to contact officers.
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
'62 years in the making': Joni Mitchell becomes US citizen
Joni Mitchell has become a US citizen, 62 years after she first left Canada.
BANG Premier
BANG Premier
Woman Goes In For An Oil Change. Then She Gets Strange Looks When She Decides To Stay In The Car
“My husband thinks I’m crazy for sitting in my car."
Motor1
Motor1
55 Interesting Facts And Posts About The World Around Us
Well-informed people are often called insufferable know-it-alls, but that might just be jealousy. If you secretly wish to be a trivia-night hero, these fascinating facts are just what you need. They are so interesting, you might lose track of time by the end. Just scroll through and check them out…
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
James Bond Drank About 53 U.S. Standard Drinks a Week, and Doctors Suspected a Tremor Behind His Shaken Martinis
Doctors tallied every drink in Ian Fleming's Bond novels and found 007 averaged 92 UK units a week, about 53 U.S. drinks, with a shaky martini theory.
Medical Daily
Medical Daily
Netflix’s Narnia trailer featuring Led Zeppelin divides fans as some brand it a ‘disgrace’
‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ is directed by ‘Barbie’ filmmaker Greta Gerwig and is set to be released next year
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Washington family’s Victorian doll Michael and its eerie dinner tradition
A Victorian doll named Michael occupies a unique place in Washington, DC’s history, not simply as an antique kept in a museum but as part of a family tradition shaped by superstition, grief and spiritualism. Displayed at the Heurich House Museum , Michael was reportedly seated at the dinner table…
The Times of India
The Times of India
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play