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RAF Chinook pilot jailed for sexual assault

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RAF Chinook pilot jailed for sexual assault

Old 24th Mar 2023, 14:03
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RAF Chinook pilot jailed for sexual assault

Terrible, that poor women.

The court heard that the assault took place as Bayliss’s victim tried to get away from him when she saw his wedding ring.

It was then that Bayliss is said to have thrust his hand up her skirt and sexually assaulted her.

She said the attack, which she reported to the police the following day, left her feeling “filthy and disgusting”.

However Bayliss denied the offence of assault by penetration and was said to have told a probation worker that he had no need to assault his victim because he was more attractive than her.

The victim said the RAF had made her feel “ostracised” after she was ordered to work from home when she raised concerns that their paths might cross due to their line of work, while her attacker was allowed to continue his duties as normal.

Six months after the assault she tried to take her own life.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Edward Legard said the board were troubled by Bayliss’s “absence of remorse or understanding”.

“There has been an element of victim blaming and minimisation of your actions and you have shown an unwarranted sense of entitlement,” he said.

Judge Advocate Legard added: “You said you would be able to get more girls than she could men, which displays a worrying attitude towards women in general.”

The court found he posed a risk of harm to adult females due to the attitude shown in the wake of his offence.

The judge added: “This was a betrayal of the values and standards of the Royal Air Force and tarnishes the reputation of the officer corps.

“You wear the insignia on your sleeve for a reason, which is to uphold the highest standards of integrity and to lead by example.”

‘I felt like a burden to my family’

In a personal statement read by the victim via a video link, she said she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered from nightmares about the attack.

She said: “I felt like a burden to my family and friends and due to the impact of the sexual assault, I attempted suicide in June when I felt I could no longer cope.”

She added: “The only glimmer of a silver lining is that I hope this has taught Oliver Bayliss that he cannot behave in that way.”

Bayliss had his sentence reduced from the two year starting point to 18 months, partly due to his distinguished career, which included active service in Afghanistan, Iraq and West Africa.

He was told he would serve half his sentence – in a civilian jail after being cleared through the military prison at Colchester – before he would be eligible for release.

A tearful Bayliss, of Harrogate, North Yorks, shook his head as he was marched from the court after being dismissed from the RAF in disgrace.

Emma Norton, solicitor and director of the Centre for Military Justice, said the victim’s feeling of being ostracised by the air force was not unusual for servicewomen who report sexual assault in the Armed Forces.

She said: “The experiences of this woman after she reported an extremely serious sexual assault seem to reflect those of all the servicewomen we are supporting.”
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world...07a97d2e&ei=18
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9th Apr 2023, 19:46
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No shame

On a thread about a sexual assault you guys are bragging about how you’ve paid your mortgages off and what a great life you’ve had. Classy.

BV
Old 24th Mar 2023, 17:06
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The sentence IMHO is not long enough as he will out in 9 months. The experience of a couple of days at MCTC and a rule 42 prisoner at a HMP probably Colchester will be an experience like no other he has ever experienced His life as he knew it is now over.

One hopes the lady who is the victim here is fully supported by her peers and CoC, now the case is over and in the future to help her recover.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 19:19
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What a tragic and stupid end to a career. I have no sympathy for Bayliss.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 19:29
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That sentence is pathetic and obscene. Indicative that attitudes towards women in the RAF have not changed in the last 30 years.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 19:30
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As it was all done within military justice but is now in the more public domain others may now come forward.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 19:35
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It seems odd that his sentence was reduced due to an aspect of his miltary service. That seems like an anachronism unless it left him with PTSD for example, which then affected his beheavour towards the victim. If it didn't then it seems like it would add insult to injury.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 19:55
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I was on the same RAF squadron as this guy. He was an arrogant, cocky, self obsessed individual, he thought the world revolved around him.

When this came to light it did not surprise me at all based on what I know of him.

Agree with the comments above that his sentence is not long enough, however, in reality his personal sentence will be longer. Loss of job, loss of military pension, loss of wife, loss of credibility, his name forever searchable on Google - what a fool.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 20:28
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Originally Posted by ExAscoteer2
That sentence is pathetic and obscene. Indicative that attitudes towards women in the RAF have not changed in the last 30 years.
I don’t know what you were doing thirty years ago but during my time in the RAF (I was there, but in my final year) we certainly didn’t sexually assault women.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 20:41
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Originally Posted by ExAscoteer2
That sentence is pathetic and obscene. Indicative that attitudes towards women in the RAF have not changed in the last 30 years.
The sentence given to the criminal Baylis will be within the Sentencing Council guidelines for that offence and what was reported to the AJAG and the panel by the defence regarding such things as psychology and probation reports. The sentence of outside those guidelines needs to have justification as the sentence maybe appealed at a later stage.



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Old 24th Mar 2023, 20:48
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Originally Posted by air pig
The sentence given to the criminal Baylis will be within the Sentencing Council guidelines
As I said, disgusting and pathetic and indicative of attitudes to women.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 20:50
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Originally Posted by ExAscoteer2
As I said, disgusting and pathetic and indicative of attitudes to women.
That is a problem for the sentencing council not the AJAG, they followed what was written.

I agree that it is pathetic.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 22:02
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Originally Posted by ShyTorque
I don’t know what you were doing thirty years ago but during my time in the RAF (I was there, but in my final year) we certainly didn’t sexually assault women.
I agree. I Was there and I object to the view that we were all cavemen in those days. In my view men treated women, we even called them ladies, with much more respect than is apparent today.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 22:24
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Originally Posted by Timelord
I agree. I Was there and I object to the view that we were all cavemen in those days. In my view men treated women, we even called them ladies, with much more respect than is apparent today.
Thank goodness, most men (I hope) are gentlemen.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 23:11
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Might this be [I make so daring] a part conssequence of the equality sought so earnestly? I hope not, but many men no longer see women as frail ladies, to be protected, given precedence through doors, given seats on transport, and walked on the inside, away from the road edge?

Were the old blokes here the last generation to have these simple courtesies drummed into them?

I have known women bridling at being deferred to, demanding equality. Perhap the Law of Unintended Consequences is working.

NB. This is not the argument "she was all tarted uo, short skirts, and flashing her knockers, so she was asking for it"
Much more subtle than that.
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Old 24th Mar 2023, 23:44
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Might this be [I make so daring] a part conssequence of the equality sought so earnestly? I hope not, but many men no longer see women as frail ladies, to be protected, given precedence through doors, given seats on transport, and walked on the inside, away from the road edge?

Were the old blokes here the last generation to have these simple courtesies drummed into them?
c0ck!

the individual concerned quite rightly is getting what he deserves.

are you tarnishing everyone my generation with the same brush?

edited to add that the vast majority of the very talented and fine ladies that i have the privilege to serve with don’t want to be referred to
​​​​​​as frail ladies

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Old 25th Mar 2023, 00:13
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Originally Posted by Professor Plum
c0ck!

the individual concerned quite rightly is getting what he deserves.

are you tarnishing everyone my generation with the same brush?

edited to add that the vast majority of the very talented and fine ladies that i have the privilege to serve with don’t want to be referred to
I would love to know the thoughts of OC 2 Group or 83 EAG being described as frail. I suspect certain part of anatomy would be missing for anybody doing that.
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Old 25th Mar 2023, 00:18
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Air pig,

Amen! Absolutely!
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Old 25th Mar 2023, 05:04
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"The court heard that the assault took place as Bayliss’s victim tried to get away from him WHEN SHE SAW HIS WEDDING RING."

Huh?
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Old 25th Mar 2023, 08:18
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Without doubt women were patronised more in those days, but they were assaulted less.
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Old 25th Mar 2023, 08:47
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Originally Posted by Timelord
Without doubt women were patronised more in those days, but they were assaulted less.
Weren't they though? Or did they just not say anything because it was "drummed into them" to expect to be groped or more as part and parcel of life?
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