ALCESTER MAN MARC BAYLISS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT ON GIRL AS A TEENAGER

In September 2016, a man from Alcester named Marc Bayliss was handed a suspended sentence after being convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl he was babysitting over two decades earlier. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the case, which had been brought to light through a jury trial at Worcester Crown Court.

Marc Bayliss, aged 43 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty of seven separate sexual offences committed between September 1991 and September 1993. The offences involved a girl who was only eight and nine years old at the time. The court heard that Bayliss was between 17 and 19 years old during the period of the offences. His defense argued that he was an immature teenager with learning difficulties and an extremely low IQ, which made him particularly vulnerable in a prison environment.

Bayliss, residing on Kingley Avenue in Alcester, was described as someone who preferred the company of much younger children, which was a factor considered during sentencing. The trial had been adjourned initially to allow for a psychological assessment, which provided further insight into his mental state. The victim, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, submitted a statement read aloud in court by prosecutor Andrew Wallace. She expressed that she had kept the abuse secret for many years and had struggled with anxiety, depression, and difficulties forming relationships as a result of her trauma.

During the hearing, defense lawyer Richard Davenport emphasized that Bayliss had not committed any similar offences before or after the early 1990s. He described Bayliss as being 'not much more than a child himself at the time' and highlighted his low IQ, which was below the national average. Davenport argued that sending Bayliss to prison would pose a serious risk to his mental health, including the potential for self-harm or worse. It was also noted that Bayliss was planning to relocate to Scotland to live with his girlfriend.

The judge, Recorder Martin Jackson, acknowledged that Bayliss continued to deny the allegations, but the jury believed the victim’s account. The judge condemned the betrayal of trust involved, stating, 'Instead of looking after her as you were supposed to, you used the opportunity of being with her to indecently assault her. That’s something no child should ever have to face from a babysitter entrusted with their care.'

In light of his mental health and the circumstances, Bayliss was sentenced to two years in prison, suspended for two years, with the condition of supervision. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. A sexual harm prevention order was also imposed, which will remain in effect indefinitely, restricting his contact with girls under 16. Furthermore, Bayliss is required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities related to sexual offenses.