A former seafront bar boss has been convicted of sexually abusing young boys while working as a carer in children's homes more than 30 years ago.

Duncan Bayles, who ran Sundowners in Margate until October last year, shook his head and continued to express his innocence as he stood in the dock at Canterbury Crown Court.

He had denied multiple offences committed against four youngsters at children's homes in Deal and Ramsgate but was unanimously convicted by the jury yesterday following a two-week trial.

The 64-year-old, of High Street, Margate, could be heard to say "It wasn't me. I'm not guilty of any of it" before instructing a woman sitting in the public gallery to "get an appeal in".

But having been remanded in custody he was warned by the trial judge that he faces a "substantial" spell behind bars.

Bayles was found guilty of 12 offences of indecent assault on a male person, six of indecency with a child, and one of attempted rape.

All the abuse occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, when the victims were below the age of 13.

At the start of his trial, Prosecutor Jack Talbot told the jury that Bayles had "abused his position of authority" while working in the children's homes.

The court heard how he had "isolated" his victims by gaining their trust before carrying out his depraved acts.

He was said to have bestowed chocolate and football stickers on one boy, only to then repeatedly molest him when alone.

Referring to the sexual assaults carried out in Ramsgate, Mr Talbot said Bayles took the victim to his bedroom with "a purpose in mind".

Having then moved on to work in Deal, Bayles "lavished affection" on his next victim.

“This behaviour, often innocent in itself, was to gain the favour of a child," added Mr Talbot, who described to the jury a series of sexual assaults performed on the boy.

Two more youngsters were subjected to abuse by Bayles, which included his attempted rape of one of them.

Bayles maintained his innocence throughout the trial, saying his victims were either confused about what happened or made the allegations up to secure compensation.

but the prosecutor said the four boys - now adults - had given "clear and cogent accounts" of the abuse they had suffered.

It was following his first appearance at the crown court in October last year that Bayles announced his resignation from Sundowners bar and its temporary closure.

Issuing a statement on the club's Facebook page, Bayles said new management would be put in place, and that he would "vigorously" defend himself in court.

The club was soon reopened by Proud Pink Inns which, last week, unexpectedly announced it will bring the shutters down due to pressures “outside our control”.

Bayles is expected to be sentenced on January 24 next year and, having refused to grant him bail until that date, Recorder Edmund Fowler warned of the inevitable outcome.

"You have now been convicted of very serious offences indeed," the judge told him.

"The penalty is going to be very severe and a custodial sentence of some length, a substantial sentence, is inevitable."

It was as he was led from the dock to the cells that Bayles reiterated he "hadn't done anything" before telling his female supporter in court that he loved her.

"Get an appeal in," he said. "I'll call you as soon as I can. This is horrendous."