GRAEME MALBY BAKER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN BUXTON AND BAKER

In February 2023, a disturbing case unfolded involving Graeme Maltby, a man with ties to the towns of Baker and Buxton, who was convicted of sexually abusing a minor. The incident, which took place in Buxton, has left a lasting scar on the victim and has drawn significant attention from the local community and legal authorities alike.

According to court proceedings at Derby Crown Court, Maltby-Baker, aged 77, engaged in a series of heinous acts against a girl who was under the age of consent at the time. The court heard that Maltby-Baker, who was nearly 50 years her senior, lured the young girl into his vehicle, where he had already prepared the scene for abuse. The back seats of his car were lowered, and a duvet was placed over them, creating a private space for his illicit activities.

During the trial, it was revealed that Maltby-Baker showered the girl with gifts and money in exchange for sexual favors. Despite the community's awareness of the abuse, no intervention was made to stop him, which added to the distress and frustration expressed by the court. The judge, Shaun Smith KC, sentenced Maltby-Baker to six years and nine months in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and their long-lasting impact on the victim.

Judge Smith stated, "You are 47 years older than the victim. She was a teenager when you abused her, and your actions have caused her mental suffering that will persist for the rest of her life. Your motives were driven by your own sexual gratification, and you groomed her by giving her cigarettes, cash, a new laptop, and a mobile phone." The judge further detailed that Maltby-Baker's offending escalated from inappropriate touching to full sexual acts on two separate occasions. He also threatened the victim, warning her that she would go to prison if she disclosed the abuse.

The prosecution, led by March Achurch, outlined that the abuse occurred while Maltby-Baker was the landlord of the former Bull I’th Thorn pub located on Ashbourne Road in Buxton. The victim, now an adult woman, recounted her memories of the abuse, including being kissed and touched over her clothing, and eventually engaging in full sexual intercourse with Maltby-Baker. She remembered him saying he was old enough to be her grandfather and that he would face prison if she told anyone. One particularly traumatic incident involved Maltby-Baker driving her to the Goyt Valley, where the abuse took place.

The victim described how Maltby-Baker had prepared the scene with the duvet and the downed seats, and how he had taken her virginity, telling her she would never forget the date. She also detailed the financial and material gifts he provided, such as money, cigarettes, a tablet, a mobile phone, sex toys, and lingerie. These acts of manipulation and abuse adversely affected her education and social life, leading her to binge drink with friends.

In her victim impact statement, she expressed the enduring trauma caused by Maltby-Baker’s actions. She described the vivid nightmares, the lingering scent of his aftershave, and the feeling that he took away her most formative years. She conveyed her hope to finally close this painful chapter of her life.

Graeme Maltby-Baker, who now resides in Killordan, Scramoge, County Roscommon, Ireland, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child. As part of his sentence, he will be registered as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and intervention in protecting vulnerable minors from predatory individuals.