Birmingham Man Admits Drayton Manor Sexual Assaults 2026

Key Points

• Josef Luke Hammond, 24, from Birmingham, admitted to 19 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 13 at Stafford Crown Court.
• The assault charges cover a period between March and August 2024, when Hammond worked as a ride operator at Drayton Manor theme park near Tamworth.
• Staffordshire Police opened an investigation after receiving reports of indecent touching at the site.
• Hammond was remanded in custody after entering his guilty pleas and will be sentenced on 18 December 2026.
• Senior investigating officers commended the victims and their families for reporting the incidents to police.

Staffordshire (Birmingham Express) October 13, 2026 — A 24-year-old man from Birmingham has admitted to sexually assaulting 19 young girls while working as a ride operator at the Drayton Manor theme park.

Josef Luke Hammond, of Kings Heath, Birmingham, entered guilty pleas to 19 counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 during a court appearance at Stafford Crown Court.

How Did the Incidents at Drayton Manor Theme Park Unfold?

The offences occurred over a six-month period between March 2024 and August 2024 while Hammond was on duty operating children’s attractions at the popular visitor destination in Staffordshire.

According to court filings and prosecution summaries, Hammond targeted young children visiting the theme park, using his position of trust as an employee to carry out the inappropriate contact.

Police were first alerted to the allegations in August 2024 after a concerned parent reported an incident involving their daughter to theme park management and local authorities.

“As reported by crime correspondent Nick McCarthy of Birmingham Live, Detective Inspector Edward Cox of Staffordshire Police stated that ‘Hammond abused his position as a ride operator to target vulnerable young children who were simply enjoying a day out with their families.'”

Following the initial complaint, Staffordshire Police launched a widespread appeal and dedicated investigation, leading to the identification of additional victims who had visited the park during the same operational period.

What Statement Did Staffordshire Police Issue Following the Court Hearing?

In an official statement released by Staffordshire Police, senior investigating officers commended the bravery of the young victims and their families throughout the investigative process.

“As reported by crime reporter Hannah Richardson of Staffordshire Live, Detective Inspector Edward Cox stated that ‘I want to pay tribute to the incredible bravery of the young girls and their families who came forward to support this investigation. Hammond’s actions were appalling, and he exploited his position of authority to commit these horrific acts.'”

Detective Inspector Cox further noted that officers worked closely with management at Drayton Manor throughout the inquiry to secure digital evidence and CCTV footage from the ride locations.

Hammond was formally arrested in late August 2024 and charged following extensive interviews with specialist child protection officers.

What Are the Next Legal Steps for Josef Luke Hammond?

During the hearing at Stafford Crown Court, His Honour Judge Jonathan Gosling remanded Hammond in custody ahead of his formal sentencing date.

The judge ordered pre-sentence reports, including a dangerousness assessment, to evaluate the long-term risk Hammond poses to the public.

Hammond is scheduled to be sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on 18 December 2026, where he faces a substantial prison sentence.

Background of the Drayton Manor Investigation

Drayton Manor, located near Tamworth in Staffordshire, is one of the United Kingdom’s most visited family theme parks, attracting over one million visitors annually.

Following the initial allegations in August 2024, the park’s management stated that Hammond was immediately suspended and subsequently dismissed from his employment as soon as the police investigation commenced.

The management team at Drayton Manor confirmed that they co-operated fully with Staffordshire Police, providing full access to staff logs, CCTV records, and visitor data to assist in identifying victims.

The case has drawn attention to safeguarding protocols for seasonal and attraction staff across the leisure industry, prompting widespread reviews of vetting procedures and staff monitoring around minors in public venues.

Prediction: How Will This Development Affect Theme Park Visitors and Safeguarding Standards?

This conviction is expected to lead to stricter regulatory oversight and enhanced safeguarding mandates across theme parks and public entertainment venues throughout the United Kingdom.

For the general public and families visiting leisure venues, the outcome will likely result in increased visibility of safeguarding personnel, stricter CCTV monitoring at ride entry and exit points, and stricter chaperoning protocols for ride operators working alone with young children.

Leisure operators are anticipated to face heightened pressure to implement rigorous background checks and continuous behavioural auditing for all public-facing staff.

For the families of the victims, the court’s guilty plea provides formal legal accountability, though the long-term psychological impact on the young victims will require ongoing support services from child welfare organizations.