DAVID HAYWOOD SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN PLYMOUTH

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Plymouth, David Haywood, a 61-year-old man residing on Savage Road in Barne Barton, has been handed a lengthy prison sentence after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving young girls. The conviction was delivered at Plymouth Crown Court following a comprehensive nine-day trial that revealed disturbing details of his criminal behavior.

Haywood was convicted on one count of indecent assault, three counts of sexual assault, and one count of engaging in sexual activity with a child. Despite the gravity of these charges, the jury acquitted him of rape and sexual assault concerning one of the alleged victims. Additionally, they were unable to reach a consensus on a second rape charge, leading the Crown Prosecution Service to formally withdraw evidence related to that particular allegation. Consequently, Judge Francis Gilbert QC officially acquitted Haywood of the second rape charge.

Throughout the proceedings, Haywood maintained a composed demeanor, dressed in a dark blue open-neck shirt and a cricket sweater, showing no visible emotion as the sentence was handed down. The judge described the offenses as serious and highlighted the disturbing pattern of his misconduct. Judge Gilbert recounted that in the 1990s, Haywood had indecently assaulted a girl he was babysitting, and his offending extended into molesting teenage girls until his arrest in 2009.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Gilbert emphasized the severity of Haywood’s actions, stating, “These were serious offences.” He sentenced Haywood to a total of 12 years in prison, deducting 14 days for time already served on remand since his trial. Furthermore, Haywood was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that will remain in effect for an indefinite period.

During the trial, Haywood denied any sexual attraction to young girls. However, under cross-examination, he admitted that he met his current girlfriend when she was approximately 18 or 19 years old, while he was in his late 50s. He also acknowledged that he was “attracted to young women” and “enjoyed having them around,” which further underscored the disturbing nature of his preferences.

Outside the courtroom, Detective Constable Nicky Barrett expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I am delighted for the victims in this case, who will be pleased with the sentences. It should help them to cope.” She emphasized the importance of the victims’ courage in coming forward, noting, “The victims found it immensely hard to come forward, but without them there would never have been a case. Haywood would have been able to continue offending untouched, causing further harm to innocent young women and girls.”