Comedian and YouTuber Russ Haynes has been identified as a sex offender by a weekend newspaper.
The 42-year-old, who vlogs under the username monkeywithagunn, was sent to prison in 2008 after admitting indecent assault and taking indecent photographs of children.
Russ was released from prison in 2009 but remains on the sex offenders’ register and is banned from working with children indefinitely.
Russ told TenEighty: “I make no excuses for my past. What I did was wrong.”
“YouTube was a fun hobby and I was careful only to mix with adults so I could not be accused of anything.”
“Someone found out about my past and instead of talking to me went straight to the papers. I haven’t done anything wrong since I went to prison, and for the past six years I have given talks on my story with the view to help others not make the same mistake I made. I will still be doing that.”
“I know people will be upset about my past and rightly so. People are always ready to believe that people can’t change. Thats not true. I’ve seen it time and time again with the people I work with.”
“I regret everything I did everyday. I deserve everything I get. I hurt someone and I have to live with that. I will take whatever punishment it brings. But I will keep on trying to live a positive life. I’ve come too far to turn back now.”
“One of the most important things I’ve learned is to talk to people about your problem. Whatever is going on talk to someone. Get help. Don’t do it alone. The bravest kid I know is the one who spoke up against me. I can’t imaging how hard it must have been. It took strength and courage to speak up. I will do everything I can to make up for what I did. If anyone is affected by this please speak to someone. Don’t suffer alone.”