Duncan Bayles

Duncan Bayles, aged 64 and residing on Northdown Road, was convicted at Canterbury Crown Court of serious sexual offences against children following a two-week trial that concluded last week. The charges relate to incidents that occurred in the 1980s and 1990s at two children's homes in Ramsgate and Deal, where Bayles had worked.

Bayles was found guilty on 12 counts of indecent assault against children under the age of 14, six counts of indecency with a child, and one count of attempted rape. The victims were four boys, all under the age of 13 at the time of the offences. These crimes involved the sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children in his care, highlighting a profound breach of trust in his role as a worker at the homes.

Following the guilty verdict, Bayles has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to Canterbury Crown Court on 24 January 2025 for sentencing. The court proceedings were handled under the jurisdiction of Kent Police, the prosecuting force for the region. This case underscores the long-term pursuit of justice for historical child sex offences, with the trial bringing closure to decades-old allegations.

The Isle of Thanet News reported on the conviction, detailing Bayles' background as a former bar boss in Margate and his prior employment in children's care settings. No specific quotes from the trial or victims were included in the available reporting, but the severity of the charges reflects the gravity of the abuses committed.