Joseph Derek Bailey

Joseph Derek Bailey, a 22-year-old from Scarborough, has a history of sexual offending that began with an incident involving an underage girl he met on Facebook. In a previous case heard at York Crown Court, Bailey admitted to having sex with the underage girl while sofa-surfing at a property in York. He received a 12-month suspended prison sentence in January 2019 and was placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years. The judge at the time noted 'strong personal mitigation' as the reason for sparing him immediate custody, given his previously clean record.

However, Bailey failed to comply with the registration requirements, delaying his completion by 27 days despite being given just three days to register. He admitted this breach before magistrates on 8 February 2019. While on bail for subsequent offences, Bailey's criminal behaviour escalated. In November 2018, he obtained a private photo of a young woman in her underwear and disclosed it to several of her contacts, attaching a message promising to send more 'raunchy snaps' if money was paid. Prosecutor Lorena Veale told York Crown Court: 'He said in an attached message that he would send further photos of a similar nature if monies were paid.' This act was charged as disclosing private sexual photos with intent to cause distress.

Compounding the offence, Bailey then defrauded a friend of the victim by tricking her into paying £35 into his bank account under the false pretence of settling a debt he was not owed. Police traced the fraud to Bailey, seizing his bank card during a search of his Scarborough home. To add to his catalogue of crimes, on 9 February 2019, while staying overnight at a couple's home in Sheffield after meeting them at a bar, Bailey stole a £140 watch and a credit card from the male victim. He used the card to spend over £20 on drinks and food at pubs and a fast-food outlet in Sheffield city centre.

Bailey's evasion continued; he failed to surrender to custody, did not report his homelessness to police, and missed a sentencing hearing at York Crown Court on 6 March 2019, prompting an arrest warrant and a 'wanted' appeal by North Yorkshire Police. He was eventually located in Sheffield after a serious car crash that required 16 stitches, where police found him wearing the stolen watch. Estate agents had also discovered several hidden bank cards in a Sheffield property he had recently vacated at police request.

Bailey admitted to charges including disclosing private sexual photos with intent to cause distress, theft from a dwelling, five counts of fraud, failing to comply with notification requirements, and breaching a suspended prison sentence. At York Crown Court on 12 April 2019, Recorder Jonathan Sandiford condemned Bailey's 'catalogue of offences' and described his fraudulence as 'mean'. Defence barrister Susannah Proctor highlighted Bailey's descent into chaos due to alcohol dependency, noting he was a well-educated former barman who self-medicated and had left Scarborough after threats following his sex offence conviction. Bailey expressed remorse, attributing his actions to a 'haze of alcohol' and pure 'greed'.

Originally from Auborough Street in Scarborough but latterly of no fixed address, Bailey was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, of which he will serve half before eligibility for release. This custodial term reflects his repeated breaches and additional crimes while under supervision as a registered sex offender. The case was prosecuted at York Crown Court, with involvement from North Yorkshire Police.