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'Devious' rape of unknown child 'Devious' rape of unknown child
(about 1 hour later)
A chartered accountant who admitted raping a child has been jailed for an indefinite term, despite the fact his victim has never been found. A man who admitted raping a child has been jailed for an indefinite term, despite the fact his victim has never been found.
David Bye, 44, was caught by police after thousands of indecent images of children were found on his computer.David Bye, 44, was caught by police after thousands of indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was "devious and manipulative" and had used his daughter to get close to children, who he took to a mid Wales caravan, Merthyr Crown Court heard.He was "devious and manipulative" and had used his daughter to get close to children, who he took to a mid Wales caravan, Merthyr Crown Court heard.
He had previously admitted to raping an unidentified child.He had previously admitted to raping an unidentified child.
Police believe Bye, originally from Greenford, west London, may have been abusing children for decades and have appealed for other victims to come forward.Police believe Bye, originally from Greenford, west London, may have been abusing children for decades and have appealed for other victims to come forward.
He also lived in Scotland, Basingstoke in Hampshire and Canterbury, Kent before settling in Mid Wales. He also lived in Scotland, Basingstoke in Hampshire and Canterbury, Kent before settling in Mid Wales. He studied to be accountant until March 2007 but did not qualify.
Bye was told he must serve a minimum of 11 years in prison but will be eligible for parole after half that period. Bye was told he will remain in prison for at least five years but the judge stressed there was no guarantee he would be considered safe for parole.
He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.He has also been ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
David Bye repeatedly refused to identify the children in the images when interviewed by policeDavid Bye repeatedly refused to identify the children in the images when interviewed by police
Detectives said Bye ingratiated himself with families, winning over the trust of parents, and children were lured to his caravan in mid Wales.Detectives said Bye ingratiated himself with families, winning over the trust of parents, and children were lured to his caravan in mid Wales.
The court heard matters came to light when Bye, who worked as an accountant in Reading three days a week, had to call in IT support for a problem with his laptop.The court heard matters came to light when Bye, who worked as an accountant in Reading three days a week, had to call in IT support for a problem with his laptop.
More than 17,000 indecent images of children, aged six to 12, were found on the computer, including the most serious category of child pornography.More than 17,000 indecent images of children, aged six to 12, were found on the computer, including the most serious category of child pornography.
Of these pictures, he had taken 202 of 10 different children himself.Of these pictures, he had taken 202 of 10 different children himself.
Some of the pictures showed Bye raping and sexually assaulting a young girl.Some of the pictures showed Bye raping and sexually assaulting a young girl.
Under the guise of being a friendly and charming man with a sympathetic ear...and with the blithe assistance of his own daughter, he soon turned his attention away from the parent and to their children Ieuan Morris, prosecutingUnder the guise of being a friendly and charming man with a sympathetic ear...and with the blithe assistance of his own daughter, he soon turned his attention away from the parent and to their children Ieuan Morris, prosecuting
Ieuan Morris, prosecuting, said he was a "predatory paedophile and sexual pervert" who secretly engaged in two known acts of sex with a pre-pubescent girl who was either asleep "or for some reason not conscious" in the caravan.Ieuan Morris, prosecuting, said he was a "predatory paedophile and sexual pervert" who secretly engaged in two known acts of sex with a pre-pubescent girl who was either asleep "or for some reason not conscious" in the caravan.
Mr Morris said with admissions to police and "stark declarations" to a child protection consultant, Bye told of harbouring a "deep-seated sexual craving" for young children up to the age of 12 years over a decade.Mr Morris said with admissions to police and "stark declarations" to a child protection consultant, Bye told of harbouring a "deep-seated sexual craving" for young children up to the age of 12 years over a decade.
"Furthermore, the defendant has disturbingly expressed a view that he has nothing to lose by further exploiting young girls in this way because his fate is sealed," he said."Furthermore, the defendant has disturbingly expressed a view that he has nothing to lose by further exploiting young girls in this way because his fate is sealed," he said.
Bye was arrested by Thames Valley police in January 2008 but it was Dyfed-Powys Police who recovered a camera containing indecent pictures of children in his caravan and took over the investigation.Bye was arrested by Thames Valley police in January 2008 but it was Dyfed-Powys Police who recovered a camera containing indecent pictures of children in his caravan and took over the investigation.
'Devious chameleon''Devious chameleon'
Mr Morris said: "The defendant deliberately targeted young, vulnerable single mothers and in one case, a father, with children of their own and befriended them in order that he could prey on the children."Mr Morris said: "The defendant deliberately targeted young, vulnerable single mothers and in one case, a father, with children of their own and befriended them in order that he could prey on the children."
He said Bye was "devious and manipulative" and used his own young daughter as a means of gaining access to other children.He said Bye was "devious and manipulative" and used his own young daughter as a means of gaining access to other children.
There is no evidence his daughter herself was a victim.There is no evidence his daughter herself was a victim.
Mr Morris said Bye was attracted to both young boys and girls and bought gifts for them.Mr Morris said Bye was attracted to both young boys and girls and bought gifts for them.
He said it was "unquestionably an unusual and most serious case, perhaps unique," in that the victim was unknown.He said it was "unquestionably an unusual and most serious case, perhaps unique," in that the victim was unknown.
The mother of one of Bye's victims describes how the 'professional paedophile' infiltrated her family and othersThe mother of one of Bye's victims describes how the 'professional paedophile' infiltrated her family and others
Mr Morris said: "Under the guise of being a friendly and charming man with a sympathetic ear to the difficulties encountered by single parents who had been engrossed in troubled relationships with former partners, and with the blithe assistance of his own daughter, he soon turned his attention away from the parent and to their children."Mr Morris said: "Under the guise of being a friendly and charming man with a sympathetic ear to the difficulties encountered by single parents who had been engrossed in troubled relationships with former partners, and with the blithe assistance of his own daughter, he soon turned his attention away from the parent and to their children."
Mr Morris produced evidence from parents of three girls and three boys Bye befriended.Mr Morris produced evidence from parents of three girls and three boys Bye befriended.
He took one victim swimming and bought her a bike. He bought another girl a plastic horse, and bought a boy a remote control car and model aeroplane.He took one victim swimming and bought her a bike. He bought another girl a plastic horse, and bought a boy a remote control car and model aeroplane.
After the case, Det Insp Diane Davies of Dyfed-Powys Police described him as a "devious chameleon", who over many years had changed his appearance, his job and where he lived in order to pursue and abuse young children.After the case, Det Insp Diane Davies of Dyfed-Powys Police described him as a "devious chameleon", who over many years had changed his appearance, his job and where he lived in order to pursue and abuse young children.
"There are almost certainly many more of David Bye's victims out there", said Det Insp Davies."There are almost certainly many more of David Bye's victims out there", said Det Insp Davies.
"We hope the fact he's now been put behind bars for a long time, may persuade those (unknown) victims and their families to come forward and get the help they need.""We hope the fact he's now been put behind bars for a long time, may persuade those (unknown) victims and their families to come forward and get the help they need."