Abuse survivors raise concerns over justice delays in crown courts

Mr Hayward decided to report the sexual abuse to police after his best friend’s daughter, Poppy Eyre, shared her story of being abused by her paternal grandfather when she was younger.

He was jailed for 13-and-a-half years in 2018 for a number of sexual offences including rape.

Mr Hayward said he had been inspired by the then ‘little girl’ for her bravery in coming forward and felt he might be believed if he told his story.

“I’d hidden it for so long,” he said.

“The turmoil and hurt that it’s caused me throughout the years not saying anything.”

But the pair feel the justice system is taking too long for victims who are left waiting for trials to go ahead.

They fear it might stop victims coming forward but they want to assure people that they will be believed.

Mr Hayward says it “worries” him that people wouldn’t come forward because at times he questioned whether to continue with the process.

Miss Eyre echoed his concerns.

“I can imagine some people may feel like ‘why now should I dig it all back up and be left waiting,'” she said.