Son falsely informed staff at family business they were sacked in 18hr abuse campaign

A man appeared in court after being accused of carrying out an 18-hour “campaign of abuse” that included falsely telling staff at his family business that they had been sacked. The case heard at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday involved Thomas Hayes, the adopted son of the two business owners of Wigan Pier Boats Ltd. Prosecutors said his “erratic” behavior began on December 27, two days after Christmas, when he allegedly sent abusive and threatening messages to staff and made calls to the owners and to his brother and sister. The staff, concerned by the calls, alerted the police after about 18 hours. Hayes pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment without violence and one count of sending offensive messages via public electronic communications. He denied making threats or blackmail, and sentencing was adjourned until July 21.