LEIF HAYWARD FROM CHATHAM ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD SEX IMAGE CHARGES

In a case that has shocked the community of Chatham, Leif Hayward, a 75-year-old man with a troubling history, was spared immediate imprisonment after admitting to possessing and creating indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Hayward’s actions spanning from November 2001 to September 2007, during which he downloaded and stored such illicit material.

Hayward, who previously managed a nudist colony, was found guilty of 10 charges related to the creation and possession of child sex abuse images. Despite the severity of these charges, the judge decided against sending him directly to prison, citing his advanced age and poor health as mitigating factors. The court was informed that Hayward now resides on Maida Road in Chatham, and has a prior criminal record for sex offences.

During the sentencing, the judge expressed strong disapproval of Hayward’s attitude, stating, “You demonstrated in an interview with a probation officer that you are an argumentative and opinionated and stupid man, as well as being a criminal. You should think about that before you sound off about the injustice you perceive to have received. There would be no injustice if I sent you to prison today.”

Prosecutor Alex Wilson highlighted that it was impossible to determine exactly when the images, two of which were classified at the highest level of five, were created. The court heard that Hayward’s previous convictions for sex offences added to the gravity of his current actions. Interestingly, it was revealed that Hayward now deals in porcelain on the auction website eBay, a detail that drew attention to his current lifestyle.

Defense lawyer Joseph Boothby described Hayward as “a very foolish and cantankerous old man,” criticizing his attitude towards probation officers and his outdated interests. He explained that Hayward and his wife once managed a nudist colony and had an interest in naturism, which included viewing films of children in nudist colonies—an interest now understood to be salacious and inappropriate.

Boothby further emphasized that Hayward now lives alone and is “basically harmless,” suggesting that he is unlikely to reoffend. The court imposed a sentence of four months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, and ordered Hayward to register as a sex offender for seven years. Additionally, Hayward was prohibited from accessing the internet at home but was permitted to use it at public libraries, internet cafes, or educational facilities, reflecting ongoing concerns about his access to potentially harmful material.