A former children’s home worker is accused of “isolating” youngsters by gaining their trust before sexually abusing them more than 30 years ago.

Duncan Bayles, from Margate, is said to have bestowed chocolate and football stickers on one boy, then repeatedly assaulted him when alone.

The 64-year-old went on trial at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday facing 17 charges, including one of attempted rape, relating to four boys at children’s homes in Deal and Ramsgate.

Prosecutor Jack Talbot said Bayles “isolated” his victims, all aged under 13, to “commit sexual offences against them”.

“This case concerns the activities of this defendant,” he told the jury.

“He was employed in care homes as a carer, and we are focused on two children’s homes in Kent in the late 1980s and 1990s.

“We will hear that, while he worked in these homes, the prosecution says he abused his position of authority.”

Appearing in the dock wearing a charcoal suit and dark tie, Bayles, of High Street, could be seen carefully listening to the prosecutor’s opening speech.

Mr Talbot alleged Bayles used gifts to gain one boy’s trust at a Ramsgate children’s home but repeatedly abused him when alone.

“The defendant took him to the defendant’s bedroom. They were alone together. The defendant had a purpose in mind,” he told the jury.

“When alone, the defendant repeatedly sexually assaulted him.”

Mr Talbot alleged Bayles sexually abused the same child on a separate occasion, then went on to become a carer at a home in Deal.

Here, Bayles reportedly “lavished affection” on a second complainant, Mr Talbot said, adding: “This behaviour, often innocent in itself, was to gain the favour of a child.”

He described a series of sexual assaults the defendant is said to have performed on the boy, and two others, including one allegation of attempted rape.

Bayles, represented by Paul Mason, denies 11 counts of indecent assault, five of indecency with a child, and attempted rape.

Mr Talbot told jurors the defendant, who is yet to argue his case, may allege the complainants are “motivated by money or attention”.

“It will be a matter for you as to whether they simply made up these allegations,” he added.

“We say the victims in this case supply clear and cogent accounts”.

The trial, expected to last between two and three weeks, continues.