In 2020, the Offender Database recorded that then 60-year-old Kevin Heywood—a former storeman at Blundell’s School in Tiverton—was observed in the local community following his conviction for the possession of “disgusting” child abuse material. The investigation established that Heywood was traced by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and arrested at the prestigious 400-year-old co-educational boarding school where he worked. The prosecution reported at Exeter Crown Court that Heywood had utilised school-related access and his own hardware to facilitate his serial child abuse.
The investigation established that Heywood stored a catalogue of sexual violence on two laptops, featuring victims ranging in age from just one to 13 years old. The prosecution reported that the material depicted the extreme abuse, rape, and torture of infants and young children. When confronted with his actions, Heywood displayed a total lack of remorse, reportedly stating to others in Tiverton that he “didnt care” what the public thought of his predatory behaviour and strikes against human decency.
POSITION OF TRUST AND JUDICIAL FINDINGS
The court reported that Heywood’s role as a storeman at a boarding school placed him in a significant position of proximity to children, making his digital strikes particularly alarming to the community. The investigation established that although the NCA found no evidence of physical strikes against pupils at Blundell’s, his consumption of extreme torture material identified a high-risk individual. The prosecution reported that the school immediately terminated his employment and cooperated fully with the police probe to ensure the safety of the student body.
Judge-led proceedings at Exeter Crown Court concluded in 2019. For his actions in Tiverton and the nature of the serial child abuse reported, Kevin Heywood was spared an immediate jail sentence. Instead, the judge ordered him to undergo a specialist sex offenders’ treatment programme and to sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years. The investigation established that this decision was met with significant local concern, especially after Heywood was seen “enjoying a pint” in Tiverton shortly after his sentencing.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
Based on the judicial orders issued in 2019/2020:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Possession of indecent images of children [Category A-C]).
- Custodial Status: NON-CUSTODIAL (In 2019, handed a community order with treatment requirements).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active until 2029.
- SHPO Status: Active until 2029 (Imposing strict digital forensic monitoring and a permanent ban from entering school premises).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Exeter Crown Court; investigated by the National Crime Agency and Devon and Cornwall Police.
- Criminal Record: Blundell’s School worker found with rape and torture images of infants; Traced by the NCA; Reported to have no remorse; Spared jail in 2019.
- Origin: Tiverton, Devon.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Heywood is managed as a high-risk offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Devon. Due to the nature of his behaviour—specifically his “serial” consumption of the most extreme categories of child abuse and his history of working in a school environment—he is a priority for digital forensic oversight. Authorities reported that the 2019 conviction ensures Heywood is permanently flagged on national databases, meaning any attempt to hold a position of trust or work in any educational setting in Tiverton or elsewhere will be blocked.
As a registered sex offender until 2029, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Heywood’s behaviour identifies an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the safety and human rights of the most vulnerable members of society. Any failure by Heywood to adhere to his treatment programme, his notification requirements, or his restrictive court orders will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was “Arrested at a Boarding School” where he worked as a storeman, do you believe the law should legally mandate that all non-teaching staff in schools must have their personal digital devices forensicially audited by police as part of their initial hiring process?
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