A FORMER ride operator at a local theme park has admitted 19 child sexual offences.
Josef Luke Hammond, 24, of Birmingham, appeared at Stafford Crown Court yesterday (12th October) where he pleaded guilty to 19 counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching.
He was a ride operator at Drayton Manor when the offences took place and was first brought to the attention of police in August 2024 after a girl told her parent that Hammond had touched her inappropriately.
After flagging this with staff at the theme park, CCTV was reviewed and Hammond was immediately sent home. On the same day, he was arrested and taken in for questioning.
Following an investigation, Staffordshire Police found that Hammond had sexually assaulted 19 victims.
He has now been bailed ahead of his sentencing date at Stafford Crown Court on 11th December.
Detective Inspector Vanessa Furnival, from the Staffordshire Police child protection team, said:
"I’d like to recognise the bravery of the victims in this case who have all shown immense courage in coming forward and supporting us with our efforts to secure this outcome today.
"I’d also like to recognise the rapid response from staff at Drayton Manor, who immediately removed Hammond from his duties.
"While we’re pleased to secure this conviction, we would advise any parents or guardians who think their child may have been a victim to get in touch with the police directly."
Hammond was a ride operator from March 2024 to August 2024.
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