MICHAEL HAYWOOD JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN KINGSTON AND NEW MALDEN

In September 2005, a well-known hairdresser with a clientele that included high-profile figures such as Jude Law, Liz Hurley, and Baroness Thatcher was sentenced to prison for serious child pornography offenses. Michael Haywood, aged 34, was convicted of downloading and distributing explicit images depicting young boys, a crime that the presiding judge described as 'evil' and one that contributes to the ongoing abuse of children.

Haywood’s arrest followed a police investigation that uncovered his illicit activities. The authorities took him into custody at Kingston police station after friends reported discovering pornographic images in a bedroom at his former residence in New Malden. The discovery was made in June of the previous year, when a friend, Mark O’Donnell, was clearing out Haywood’s bedroom and found nearly 100 indecent images stored on a computer. Unbeknownst to O’Donnell, Haywood had been using his computer to download these images, which he had been viewing since February 2002.

At the time, Haywood was sharing a house on England Way, New Malden, with a friend. His employment history included working at salons operated by Toni & Guy and Nicky Clark, where he was known for his professional skills and his boastful claims about his celebrity clients. Despite his outward appearance of success, his criminal activities cast a dark shadow over his reputation.

The court heard that Haywood’s activities began in early 2002, and he had been actively downloading and sharing these images for several years. The images were found on a computer owned by his friend, Mark O’Donnell, who was unaware of Haywood’s illicit activities. When questioned by police, Haywood admitted to the crimes after moving into a new house in New Malden. His confession came after the images were discovered during the bedroom clearance in June 2004.

Following his arrest, Haywood faced significant social repercussions. His family, including his father, distanced themselves from him, and he was dismissed from his job at the salon. Subsequently, he relocated to Reading, attempting to distance himself from the scandal. A former neighbor, Jason Fry of England Way, commented on the case, revealing that Fry’s sister knew Haywood well. Fry expressed his shock at the court proceedings, stating, “My sister was shocked when he was hauled in court and pleaded guilty. I think it’s a disgrace and he should have got a longer sentence. Although, he did always seem like a nice man.”

During the trial, Haywood’s defense lawyer, Lauren Soertsz, highlighted that her client had expressed remorse, telling her before the court hearing that his actions were ‘horrendous’ and that he did not see himself as a monster. She emphasized his confusion about how he became involved in such activities.

In June 2005, Haywood faced multiple charges at Kingston Crown Court, including 11 counts of receiving and distributing indecent photographs of children and one count of possessing such images. The court heard that his actions contributed to the illegal market that fuels the abuse of minors.

Judge Charles Tilling, presiding over the case, sentenced Haywood to nine months in prison. The judge underscored the severity of the crime, stating, ‘The real evil of this case, as you know, is the distribution of that material. It’s that distribution which fuels the market and therefore causes the abuse of young children to feed that market.’ As part of his punishment, Haywood will also face a seven-year term on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the long-term consequences of his actions.