JAMES BAYLIS

COLCHESTER MAN JAILED FOR BREACHING SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER AND SEARCHING FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

A CONVICTED sex offender who searched for inappropriate images of children on his Xbox console presents “a significant risk” of committing sexual offences against children, a judge has said.

James Baylis, of Harwich Road, Colchester, appeared in Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday after admitting to breaching the terms of his sexual offences order.

The court heard how Baylis’s history of sexual offending began in 2009 when he was first jailed, and in 2017 he was given a sexual harm prevention order.

In 2021, the 44-year-old defendant then received a three-year community order which prohibited him from having any internet enabling devices.

In September last year, however, Baylis used the internet via his Xbox to access illegal images of underage girls, putting him in breach of the order.

Police then searched Baylis’s address in September last year when they seized the game console.

Matthew Kirk, prosecuting, said: “This is a serious breach and persistent breach over a considerable period of time – he has a history of disobedience for court orders and offences during the currency of community orders.

“I apply for forfeiture and destruction of the Xbox.” Caroline Milroy, mitigating, said although Baylis’s offending was serious, there would be little benefit to him serving a prison sentence.

She said: “He finds it very difficult to lead a normal life; he had a job working in an office supplies company before someone found out about his background, and he was told ‘don’t bother coming into work’.” Judge Christopher Morgan, however, said Baylis’s poor record in engaging with probation services counted heavily against him.

He said: “Baylis won’t engage in [rehabilitation] courses, so there’s a real risk of a contact offence.

Access to the internet was the very thing the sexual harm prevention order was to prevent; once again, you are looking for images of young female children.

“I am satisfied that you do present a significant risk of committing further offences by accessing the internet.” Judge Morgan sentenced Baylis to 16 months in jail, ordering him to serve a further three-year extended licence period.

“I order deprivation of the Xbox, and if that results in the destruction, then so be it,” Judge Morgan added.