Stowmarket – Man jailed for sexually abusing two girls

A 28-year-old man from Stowmarket has been given a 22-year sentence after sexually abusing two girls.

Scott Lawrence-Bayly appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 13 December, where he was sentenced to 17-years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of five-years. He was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Lawrence-Bayly, of Bridge Street, had been found guilty on 18 October following a four-day trial, of the following four offences: oral rape of a child; assault of a child under 13 by penetration; and two counts of sexual assault of a child by touching.

The court heard that Lawrence-Bayly was aged 14-years-old at the time of these offences, with the victim aged eight-years-old.

The sentence he received was also for three other offences he was convicted of last year. On 19 May 2023 he was found guilty following an eight-day trial of: assaulting a child under 13 by penetration; sexual assault of a child under 13; and causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Lawrence-Bayly was an adult when these offences took place with the victim aged six-years-old. The sentencing for these offences was postponed pending the second trial which concluded in October this year.

In passing sentence, the judge described Lawrence-Bayly as a dangerous offender who has a significant sexual interest in children.

Detective Constable Sam Chandler, of the Safeguarding Investigation Unit, said: “The crimes committed by Scott Lawrence-Bayly against such young victims were truly abhorrent.

“His offences spanned a period of 10 years, so although they began when he himself was a child, they continued into adulthood. As the judge said, he clearly has a significant sexual interest in children.

“The impact of his crimes on the victims has been devastating as you would expect. He has robbed them of their innocence and their childhood and has caused a long-term psychological harm.

“We are pleased with the sentence that he has been given and it reflects the severity of his crimes.”