Former Olympic Swimmer Antony James Jailed for 21 Years After Raping Two Teenage Girls

Antony James, a former Olympic swimmer who represented Britain at the 2012 London Games, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for the rape of two teenage girls.

James, from Crownhill, Plymouth, was convicted by a jury last October at Plymouth Crown Court on eight charges, including three counts of rape, three of sexual activity with a child, and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity. He had previously pleaded guilty to six counts of making indecent photographs of a child.

During the trial, prosecutor Lee Bremridge revealed that James groomed each of his victims, revealing his "perverse sexual needs and desires." Police discovered evidence of James using the Chaturbate sexual internet site and recovered messages from 2019 where he referenced the name of an underage girl who he later raped. One victim bravely read a statement in court, stating that James had "stolen a portion of my life" and left her feeling "vulnerable, weak and trampled."

Judge Robert Linford sentenced James to eight years for the rape of the first girl and 13 years for the two offences of rape of the second girl. These sentences will run consecutively, totaling 21 years. He was also placed on the Sex Offender's Register for life and made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 25 years.

The judge acknowledged James' lack of previous convictions, his Olympic achievements, and his charity work, but emphasized the gravity of his crimes. He stated that James had "ruthlessly exploited" his victims' needs for his own ends and left one feeling ashamed of her body and unable to forgive him for what he did.