ALAN HAYWOOD FROM WESTCLIFF CAUGHT IN DISTURBING ONLINE SEXUAL CHAT WITH '13-YEAR-OLD GIRL' AT BASILDON CROWN COURT

In August 2023, a disturbing case involving a sex offender from Westcliff has come to light, highlighting the ongoing efforts of paedophile hunters to combat online child exploitation. Alan Haywood, aged 33 and residing on Wenham Drive in Westcliff, was caught engaging in highly inappropriate and illegal conversations with a decoy account that he believed belonged to a 13-year-old girl.

Haywood’s interactions began when he initiated contact on Facebook, where the profile was controlled by an adult posing as a young girl named 'Evie.' Despite the profile indicating that she was only 13 years old, Haywood acknowledged that she was “far too young” but continued to engage in sexually explicit communication. His willingness to persist in such conversations despite knowing the girl’s age underscores the severity of his actions.

He was formally charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. The case was brought before Basildon Crown Court, where Haywood appeared on a Friday for sentencing. Prosecutor Mitchell Cohen outlined the details of the case, stating that between October 24 and November 23, 2022, Haywood engaged in explicit conversations with the profile under the name ‘Evie’ on Facebook Messenger.

According to Cohen, the initial contact was initiated by Haywood, who thanked the profile for accepting his friend request. He then asked her how old she was, to which she responded that she was 13. Haywood responded with concern, saying, “Oh, you’re far too young. This is wrong and illegal and I’m the one who will get in trouble for it.”

Further contact was made on October 25, when Haywood inquired if 'Evie' was comfortable discussing “naughty” topics. The conversations continued sporadically until November 23, when Haywood reached out again, asking what she was doing. The girl replied that she was running a bath, to which Haywood expressed that he was “excited” by this.

Most alarmingly, Cohen revealed that Haywood suggested 'Evie' should send him a nude photograph of herself. The conversation was abruptly ended, but members of a paedophile hunting group, posing as 'Evie,' attended Haywood’s home in Westcliff and detained him until police arrived. Officers then took him into custody at Southend Police Station, where his property was searched.

During police interviews, Haywood chose to remain silent and refused to look at the chat logs. The case drew the attention of the court, with Judge Samantha Cohen addressing Haywood directly before sentencing. She emphasized that the content of his messages clearly indicated he was aware of the girl’s age, which made his actions particularly egregious.

In sentencing, Haywood was given a three-year community order, which includes a 40-day rehabilitation activity requirement and 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was placed under a sexual harm prevention order and is subject to notification requirements, reflecting the serious nature of his offending and the ongoing measures to prevent future harm.