May 2004 Child abuser escapes jail A MINEHEAD paedophile escaped justice for almost a quarter of a century — even though the victims’ parents and the Crown Prosecution Service knew about his crimes a number of years ago. Douglas John Baker was spared prison when he appeared before Taunton Crown Court on Friday. But he faces a bleak 70th birthday in five days — as well as suffering ill health, he has lost all his friends and family and suffered a “total breakdown”. Baker, who is single and works part-time as a barman, pleaded guilty to six counts of indecent assault on a boy under 14, one similar charge against a girl under 13 and one allegation of indecency with a child.