JAMES HAYWARD, SEX OFFENDER IN HERNE HILL, COULD BE FREED SOON

In August 2008, James Hayward, a 21-year-old former resident of Underhill Road, Dulwich, faced sentencing after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl and attempting to kidnap a 10-year-old girl in Herne Hill. His case has attracted attention due to the potential for his early release.

Hayward was found guilty in March 2008 of these serious offenses and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court today to a 26-month prison term. However, given that he is expected to serve only half of this sentence and has already spent 344 days in custody, he could potentially be released as early as next month.

The court detailed Hayward’s first known attack on March 23, 2007, when he stalked a schoolgirl along various streets and then grabbed her buttocks in uniform, causing her to cry out in fear. He fled the scene when she screamed for help, but a motorist intervened.

On June 25, 2007, Hayward followed two girls and a boy, all aged 10, as they walked home from a primary school after orchestra practice in Herne Hill. According to Judge John Fraser, he tracked them through deserted streets, adjusting his pace to remain close. After the boy said goodbye, the girls became increasingly frightened, and Hayward doubled back to cut them off. He tapped one girl on the shoulder, covered her mouth, slung her over his shoulder, and began to run away. When her friend screamed, Hayward dropped her and fled.

Hayward was arrested in July 2007 and later charged. During sentencing, Judge Fraser emphasized the terror inflicted on the young victims and the distress caused to their families. He highlighted that in both incidents, Hayward targeted vulnerable girls and used quiet, deserted streets to carry out his assaults or kidnapping attempts. The judge also noted that Hayward was interrupted on both occasions, which he found significant.

Concerned about the risk of further offending, the court was presented with pre-sentence reports that rated Hayward as a 'high risk of causing serious harm to children.' As part of his sentence, Hayward was issued a five-year sexual offences prevention order and banned from working with children indefinitely.

Earlier in 2008, Hayward was also convicted of sexual assault and attempted kidnapping related to these incidents. He was acquitted of one charge of attempted kidnapping and five counts of making indecent photographs after a two-week trial.

The court reviewed Hayward’s activities, revealing that he had engaged in a three-month period of prowling around Dulwich schoolgirls starting in March 2007. Notably, he attacked a 15-year-old on Rosendale Road, Herne Hill, and later attempted to abduct a ten-year-old from Frankfurt Road, Dulwich Village.

During the verdict reading, Hayward’s girlfriend tearfully expressed her love for him. After being ordered to return for sentencing on April 8, Hayward left the court.

The victims’ families expressed relief, stating: “We are very grateful for the hard work of the police and the crown prosecution service, whose support from the outset has been of great help during a very stressful period. We are pleased that their efforts have paid off with this trial verdict and feel enormously relieved by the outcome.”

Detective Sergeant Jon Summers praised the bravery of the young witnesses who faced their attacker. He remarked, “The streets of south east London will be a safer place as a result of this verdict, and I am very, very pleased that the judge decided against granting bail. It is a testament to the very, very young victims who have shown the courage to come forward. It is only through their bravery that this outcome has been achieved.”