KEITH BAILEY FROM MALBY SENTENCED AFTER DECADES-LONG ABUSE CASE IN ROTHERHAM AND SHEFFIELD

In April 2023, a disturbing case involving Keith Bailey, a man from Maltby, South Yorkshire, culminated in his conviction for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young girls decades ago. Bailey, aged 62, is currently serving a prison sentence of 15 and a half years for his crimes, which took place in Rotherham during the 1970s and 1980s. His arrest and subsequent conviction mark a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the region.

Bailey’s criminal history was long concealed until recent events brought his past offenses back into the spotlight. Residing on Southey Crescent in Maltby, Bailey believed he had evaded justice for many years. However, his decision to reconnect with one of his victims, Lisa*, via social media proved to be his undoing. He sent her a Facebook friend request, an act that shocked Lisa and reignited painful memories she had tried to suppress.

Lisa, who was under ten years old when the abuse occurred, described her initial reaction to Bailey’s online approach as one of disbelief and anger. She recounted, “He sent me a friend request, which I thought was god damn rude. He probably thought I’d forgotten about everything. I sent him a message back, asking him: ‘Why did you make me do that stuff when I was a little girl?’”

Her message to Bailey was a turning point. Although he did not respond, Lisa’s confrontation with her past was triggered anew. She explained, “That triggered it off…it brought it all back because I’d tried to get on with my life.” Her decision to reach out to the police was driven by this encounter, which ultimately led to the exposure of Bailey’s long-hidden crimes.

Following Lisa’s report, authorities uncovered evidence that led to Bailey’s arrest. His actions prompted another survivor, Becky*, to come forward. Becky, who was between three and four years old at the time of her abuse, had kept her trauma secret out of fear. Bailey had threatened to harm her family if she ever disclosed what had happened, a threat that kept her silent for many years. Becky, who still resides in the Rotherham area, revealed that her fear of Bailey’s influence has affected her life profoundly. She avoided visiting certain parts of town, including the area where Bailey was known to have connections, to prevent any chance of encountering him.

Lisa, who now lives miles away from Rotherham, shared her ongoing anxiety about seeing Bailey in public. She described how she often believed she had spotted him in crowds, which caused her considerable distress. Despite these fears, both survivors remained resolute in their pursuit of justice. Their courage led to Bailey’s trial at Sheffield Crown Court, where he faced multiple charges. Bailey pleaded not guilty, denying all allegations, which resulted in a court trial that took place in October of the previous year.

During the trial, Lisa and Becky bravely provided evidence against Bailey. They were supported throughout the process by Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) and witness support services, which helped them prepare for the emotional and psychological challenges of testifying. Lisa described her experience as harrowing, stating, “It wasn’t nice, having to relive everything, and having to tell his barrister — when you’re made out to be a liar, when he’s stood there, lived his life to the full, knowing what he’s done. And I have to suffer. What I had to go through in that court was horrendous, same as anyone else, survivors are always the ones who are made out to be the ones in the wrong. That’s how it felt.”

Lisa chose to face Bailey directly in court, declining the use of protective measures such as a screen, to demonstrate her strength and resolve. She explained, “It was harder than I thought it would be but I needed to do it, I needed to do it for myself — to show him that I’m not that little girl anymore who was scared.” Conversely, Becky required additional protection, opting for a screen to shield her from Bailey’s view. She recounted, “I couldn’t even look at him in court, I had to have a screen around me. I threw up as soon as I got out.”

Ultimately, their testimonies contributed to Bailey’s conviction on eight counts of sexual offenses, including five counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child. The jury’s guilty verdict was a moment of relief and validation for the survivors. Lisa reflected on the moment she learned of the verdict, saying, “I broke down, I just couldn’t believe it.”

On December 23, 2022, Bailey was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to 15 years and six months in prison. An extended license period of one year was also imposed, bringing his total time behind bars to 16 and a half years. Lisa read her victim personal statement during the sentencing hearing, although Bailey was not physically present in court, appearing via video link from prison. She expressed her mixed feelings, stating, “It’s still a bit of a blur, I can’t remember everything but the one thing that I wanted was to hear those words: ‘Take him away’. I didn’t get to hear those words but I got to hear the judge say: ‘Do the prison officers know you’re ready, your sentence has now finished and said you’ll be taken to your cell.’ I still got a bit of it with that. It still doesn’t feel real now that he’s been locked up.”

Having finally achieved justice, Lisa and Becky hope their story will inspire other survivors to come forward. They emphasize the importance of seeking support and trusting the process. Lisa expressed her desire to help others, saying, “There are people out there who can support you, and keep you safe. It’s better to open up than keeping it in. I’ve had this in my head for 40 odd years, but now, just realising what support is out there, and it does make you want to encourage other people to go and do it. I’m wanting to be a support worker now.”

Becky echoed this sentiment, highlighting the support she received throughout the legal process. She said, “It was a long process, but at every stage, I was being updated and if we wanted to find anything out, I could get in touch with the ISVA. I can’t thank the police, witness care, and the judge enough for how they made us feel safe, explained everything. The support is there, use it.”