FREDERICK BAILEY SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR CHILD RAPE IN MELKSHAM AND DORCHESTER

In a case that has shocked the community, 80-year-old Frederick Bailey from Melksham has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 20 years after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses involving three young girls. The crimes, which spanned over a decade, date back to the 1960s and 1970s, and the conviction was secured following a detailed trial at Dorchester Crown Court.

Bailey, who resided on Savernake Avenue in Melksham, faced a total of 15 charges, all of which he denied throughout the proceedings. The allegations included eight counts of indecent assault and six counts of rape. The prosecution presented evidence that linked Bailey to these offenses committed in the towns of Bridport and Reading, with the earliest incidents reportedly occurring when the victims were just toddlers.

The court heard that six of the charges involved a single victim, with abuse occurring between 1960 and 1970. The second victim was linked to four offenses spanning from 1961 to 1975, while the third victim was associated with five charges, with abuse dating from 1963 to 1977. Prosecutor Tim Bradbury described Bailey’s actions as “sustained and repeated sexual violence,” emphasizing that the abuse began at a very young age and continued over many years.

Victims, now all in their 50s, only came forward in 2014 to report their experiences. Mr. Bradbury explained that each of them had their own reasons for not speaking out earlier, but all confirmed that the abuse was ongoing and increasingly severe. One victim recounted to police that her earliest memories of abuse started when she was approximately four years old, describing a pattern of “sustained abuse over a number of years” that eventually escalated to rape.

Another victim provided a detailed account of a “catalogue of abuse of a very similar nature,” while the third described suffering abuse over many years since she was a toddler. During the trial, Bailey maintained his innocence, repeatedly denying any sexual contact with the girls. When questioned about the allegations, he responded, “No, never,” asserting that he had never sexually touched any of the victims.

Following the jury’s guilty verdicts on all 15 counts, the court heard impact statements from the victims, who expressed how the abuse had profoundly affected their adult lives. One victim poignantly stated, “He needs to know what he has done is wrong. We were vulnerable children.”

In mitigation, Nicholas Cotter highlighted Bailey’s health issues and noted that he had not appeared in court for over 40 years since these offenses. He argued that Bailey, who is nearly 81 years old, might not have the opportunity to see freedom again, suggesting that Bailey himself might understand the gravity of his situation.

Judge Jonathan Fuller, presiding over the case, sentenced Bailey to a total of 20 years in prison. In his remarks, the judge described Bailey’s actions as “sustained and relentless,” emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed against innocent children in Melksham and Dorchester. The sentence reflects the court’s recognition of the profound harm inflicted upon the victims and the need for justice to be served.