Rayleigh: Child abuser convicted

A child abuser is facing a significant prison sentence thanks to work by specialist officers.

Thanks to the work of detectives who investigate sexual offences, Scott Layfield was found guilty of 26 charges, including rape and sexual assault, at Basildon Crown Court on Friday 1 May.

The charges relate to offences against six girls between 2011 and 2021, mainly in the Rayleigh area.

Layfield, 52, of Paddock Close, Leigh-on-Sea was arrested in April 2022 and interviewed, where he denied the allegations.

He also denied them at court but due to the testimony of the girls who bravely told us what had happened, and the evidence officers were able to compile, he was found guilty.

His trial heard how he swapped text messages with one of the girls before telling her to delete all the messages, invited her to his home, and took her to a hotel.

The jury also heard how Layfield told one of the girls that no-one would believe her if she told them what happened.

He’s due to be sentenced at the same court on 30 July.

Speaking after the conviction, investigating officer PC Nick Schneider said:

“Scott Layfield told one of the girls he abused that no-one would believe her, but he did not account for Essex Police.

“If someone has the courage to come forward and report the abuse they have faced, we listen to them, we support them, and we investigate.

“I want to praise the bravery shown by the six girls in this case. Scott Layfield subjected them to an awful ordeal but they have stood up against him and their testimony has ensured we’ve been able to bring him to justice.

“Layfield poses a significant and ongoing threat to children and I am pleased our work has ensured he is facing a prolonged period of time in prison.

“I believe there may be other people who were abused by Layfield and if there are, I urge you to come forward”

Anyone with information should contact us as soon as possible.

You can let us know by submitting a report online or by using our Live Chat service. 

Our Live Chat service is available on our website 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can send and receive real-time messages with an online operator.

To use the service, select the ‘Live Chat’ icon at the bottom right of your screen when you're on our website.

Or you can call us on 101.

Synergy Essex offers free, confidential help to anyone in Essex affected by rape, sexual abuse, or sexual violence - whether it happened recently or in the past.

It’s made up of three expert services:

• Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse
• Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service
• Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis

You don’t need to report anything to the police to get support. You can contact Synergy Essex directly, or ask someone you trust, like a friend, family member or professional, to refer you.

Support is available for all ages and includes:

• Counselling (in person, online or by phone).
• Emotional and practical help.
• Guidance from Independent Sexual Violence Advisers if you choose to report the crime.

Their First Contact team can talk you through your options and help you get started.

Find out more on the Synergy Essex website.