Child rapist said he would ‘kill girl’s pets’ if she ever reported him
A serial child sex offender threatened one of his child victims with harming their pets if she ever told her family.
Duncan Bayles, from Margate in Kent, has been jailed for 28 years after being found to have committed sex offences against five children beginning in the 1980s.
It took one of his victims decades to come forward after she finally saw him get convicted in 2024 for attacks on young boys.
As a woman she approached 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.
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Kent Police launched a specialist investigation in June 2019 after a man came forward to report how Bayles had abused him repeatedly when he was a boy.
Their investigation found that a further three men had also been preyed on by Bayles while they were children.
His young victims were sexually assaulted, manipulated, groomed and bribed with gifts in return for carrying out sexual acts.
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 prompting the woman to come forward.
Detectives launched a separate investigation, which resulted in Bayles facing an additional 17 charges including four counts of child rape.
On 6 February 2026, at the same court, Bayles was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
DC 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.’
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.