Duncan Bayles 65

Description

A child sex offender from Margate who abused multiple victims has been jailed for 28 years.

Duncan Bayles, formerly of Northdown Road, was sentenced in relation to crimes committed against five children that began in the 1980s.

Investigation

Kent Police launched a specialist investigation in June 2019 after a man came forward to report how Bayles had abused him on several occasions when he was a boy.

Extensive enquiries were completed and complex evidence was obtained. It was established that a further three men had also been preyed upon while they were children.

Multiple victims

The young victims were sexually assaulted, manipulated, bribed with gifts in return for carrying out sexual acts and groomed to believe that Bayles’ behaviour was normal.

Bayles, 65, was arrested on 18 August 2020 and was later charged with 19 offences in relation to the reports, including gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted rape.

Having denied the offences, Bayles was found guilty of all charges on 24 October 2024, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Further victim

The court case relating to the young male victims led to a woman approaching Kent Police to report that the offender had also abused her as a child.

He threatened to harm the girl’s pets if she told anyone about him and made her think that she would not be believed if she reported his depravity.

Additional charges

Detectives launched a separate investigation, which resulted in Bayles facing an additional 17 charges including four counts of child rape.

Bayles again pleaded not guilty. A further trial took place at Canterbury Crown Court, resulting in his conviction on all counts in a unanimous jury verdict on 15 January 2026.

Convicted and jailed

On 6 February 2026, at the same court, Bayles was sentenced to 28 years in prison. He will spend a further two years on licence at the end of the custodial period and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Detective Constable Pete Edwards said:

'This was a complex case and all of Bayles’ victims should be praised for their courage in coming forward, and for remaining steadfast throughout the process of bringing this predatory offender to justice.

'It is never too late to report a crime and Kent Police remains committed to supporting survivors of abuse, listening to them and pursuing offenders no matter how much time has passed.

'We recognise the impact that these horrific crimes have had on Bayles’ victims, and hope they will find some closure, knowing that this dangerous criminal is now behind bars. The restrictions to which he must adhere at the end of his long custodial period, which will remain in place for the rest of his life, will further protect against him reoffending and safeguard future potential victims.'

2024-10-26

Former Margate bar boss and previous childrens home worker Duncan Bayles will be sentenced in January after being found guilty of sex offences against children.

Mr Bayles was found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges against children aged below 14 years; six indecency with a child charges and one charge of attempted rape following a two trial at Canterbury Crown Court which concluded last week.

The offences took place in the 1980s and 1990s against four boys, then aged under 13, at two childrens homes in Ramsgate and Deal.

Mr Bayles, aged 64, of Northdown Road, has been remanded in custody and will return to the court on January 24 for sentencing.