A British Olympian who represented Team GB at the London 2012 Games has been found guilty of eight child sex offences, including three rapes and three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. Antony James, 34, from Plymouth, Devon, was also convicted of two charges of causing or inciting a child into sexual activity. In addition, he was cleared of three other charges. The jury did not reach verdicts on six other sex charges, including five counts of rape.
James, who was working as a trainee police officer when he was arrested, had his alleged offences occur over a 10-year period between 2012 and 2022. The Devon and Cornwall police force, which immediately suspended James upon his arrest, has confirmed that he no longer works for them. During the trial, the prosecution stated that James had “sexual needs and desires” that became “increasingly more twisted and perverse as time went on.” The court heard that his victims were younger than 16 when they first met him.
One of the victims, who met James when she was 13 years old, described feeling “pushed and violated” by him and expressed fear of his anger. She recounted instances where she engaged in sexual activity with him against her will, feeling like she was disconnected from her own body and waiting for it to end. James has been granted conditional bail until a sentencing hearing, pending the completion of a pre-sentence report.
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Following his conviction, James faces the possibility of a jail sentence for his crimes. The court proceedings shed light on the disturbing nature of his offences and the impact they had on his victims. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their background or achievements in other aspects of their lives.