HENRY BAYLISS HOLYHEAD PAEDOPHILE IN CRITICAL CONDITION AFTER DRINKING ANTI-FREEZE BEFORE TRIAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Holyhead, Henry Bayliss, a 54-year-old man from Bryn y Mor, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation involving child abuse and possession of indecent images. The case, which unfolded in north west Wales, revealed a series of heinous acts committed by Bayliss, culminating in his arrest and subsequent legal proceedings at Mold Crown Court.

According to court reports, Bayliss had taken a photograph of a girl under the age of 10 before subjecting her to sexual assault. The court heard that on the same day in 2017, he engaged in sexual touching of a girl under 13 years old, and was found to possess a significant number of illicit images. Specifically, authorities discovered 141 images of young children on his mobile phone, along with an additional 64 prohibited images stored on a separate memory card.

Initially scheduled for trial, Bayliss unexpectedly changed his plea, admitting to the charges of sexual touching of a minor, creating an indecent photograph of a child, and possessing indecent and prohibited images. His decision to plead guilty resulted in a prison sentence of four and a half years. The court was informed that these offences all occurred on the same day, highlighting a pattern of disturbing behavior.

During the proceedings, defense lawyer Matthew Dunford highlighted the personal toll on Bayliss, noting that he had lost his marriage and employment as a consequence of his actions. The court also learned that Bayliss had previously been involved in legal issues related to child exploitation, having received a 12-month probation order at Holyhead magistrates court in 1997 after sending an indecent letter to another young girl.

A particularly grave aspect of the case was revealed when it was disclosed that Bayliss had attempted to harm himself by drinking anti-freeze before his trial. This act resulted in him being placed into an induced coma, with doctors reporting that his liver was functioning at only 25%. The judge, Rhys Rowlands, acknowledged the severity of the defendant’s actions and the consequences he faced.

Judge Rowlands sentenced Bayliss to a total of four and a half years in prison. Additionally, he imposed a five-year restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order, along with an indefinite requirement to register as a sex offender. Bayliss was also prohibited from working with children or vulnerable individuals in the future.

In December 2018, prior to these events, Bayliss had already been warned that he could face imprisonment after admitting to a child sex offence. His plea change at Mold Crown Court led to the court ordering a comprehensive pre-sentence report, which would assess any potential future risks. The judge noted that Bayliss had previously taken an overdose when the case was scheduled for trial, indicating ongoing issues with mental health and behavior.

As the case concluded, Bayliss was remanded in custody, with sentencing scheduled for January 14 of the following year. The court emphasized the importance of protecting children and vulnerable individuals from individuals like Bayliss, whose actions have caused significant harm and distress to their victims and the community of Holyhead.