He ‘continually refused to return’ which resulted in ‘drawing out the trauma for all those involved’
The case was heard at Hull Crown Court(Image: Katie Pugh)
A “heinous” and “cowardly” child rapist has been jailed after being extradited from New Zealand to face justice in Hull. David Bayliss “continually refused to return” to the UK to go on trial after committing a series of sexual offences.
However, following a long extradition process, he was eventually returned to the UK and was charged with multiple offences until his trial began earlier this month. Bayliss, 48, of Antimony Crescent, Cromwell, New Zealand, was ultimately found guilty of five counts of rape of a girl under 13, sexual assault of a child under 13, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity following a ten-day trial at Hull Crown Court.
In February 2019, another force alerted Humberside Police that a teenager had come forward to report a series of sexual assaults and rapes against her that had happened in the Hull area that had started when she was under ten years old. Bayliss was named as the person responsible.
Detectives investigated the allegations and found the girl had been subjected to a series of rapes, sexual assaults, and mental and physical abuse. As they obtained the initial account of what had happened from the victim, police also found crucial evidence that she had written in her diary. This included threats of violence from Bayliss and being told that, if she let anyone know about what was going on, nobody would believe her.
While liaising with New Zealand Police Force to get Bayliss extradited to face the allegations put to him, he continually refused to return and would not admit any crimes had been committed. Following the trial, Bayliss was sentenced to 18 years behind bars with a requirement to be on licence for an additional year. He will also be on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been handed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order
Following his sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stacey Suffield, from Humberside Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, who led the investigation, said: “Bayliss’ crimes against such a young girl are nothing short of heinous, and the effect this will have on her for the rest of her life cannot be underestimated.
“It takes a great deal of strength to take that first step in coming forward and reporting crimes of this nature. I would like to commend the girl’s bravery for telling someone, and for her courage, patience and support shown by her and her family through what has been a very prolonged, convoluted investigation, extradition, and judiciary process.
“Bayliss even refused to return from New Zealand to face what he had done, further drawing out the trauma for all those involved. He continuously refused to acknowledge any of the allegations put to him, and then had the audacity to force the girl and her family through a trial in what could be seen as a last cowardly attempt to maintain control and manipulation of the situation.
“It seemed Bayliss enjoyed it, and throughout the whole process continued to put his perverse sexual needs above anything, or anyone else. Whilst the result seen at court last week will by no means take away the suffering endured, I hope the length of time Bayliss will now be spending on his own behind bars is a stark reminder that we will do everything we can to put people like Bayliss away for a significant amount of time.
“We take all reports of rape, sexual assault, and abuse extremely seriously, whether the offences occurred two days, or two years ago, we will support you every step of the way to ensure we hold perpetrators like Bayliss accountable for their crimes. If you’ve been raped or sexually assaulted, we’re here for you.
“When you are ready to you can report it to us online, via our non-emergency number 101, or always call 999 in an emergency.
“But if you don’t want to talk to us straight away, or if you need extra support, there are lots of people who can help. You can speak to these people and organisations privately and confidentially, and unless they think someone is in serious danger, they won’t share anything with us.”