The Newshound

Drayton Manor ride operator admits sexually assaulting 19 girls under 13 at Staffordshire theme park

A Staffordshire Police custody photograph of Josef Luke Hammond, who pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to sexually assaulting 19 girls after a child reported him to a parent, prompting staff to review CCTV footage.
A Staffordshire Police custody photograph of Josef Luke Hammond, who pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to sexually assaulting 19 girls after a child reported him to a parent, prompting staff to review CCTV footage.

Josef Luke Hammond, 24, from Birmingham, pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court on Monday to 19 counts of assaulting a girl under 13 by touching during the five months he worked as a ride operator at Drayton Manor in Staffordshire. The abuse came to light in August 2024 after a girl told her parent she had been inappropriately touched; staff then reviewed CCTV footage and removed Hammond from the site that same day. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.

Drayton Manor said it was 'appalled' and insists Hammond was suspended and dismissed immediately after concerns were raised.

Detective Inspector Vanessa Furnival said Hammond was 'left with no choice but to admit to all of the offences' once the evidence was put before the court.

Police are urging any parent or guardian whose child may have suffered abuse during Hammond's time at Drayton Manor to come forward and contact Staffordshire Police.

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